Who is the best USWNT Goalkeeper coming into the 2024 NWSL season (and beyond)?

Intro

The USWNT is potentially coming to a crossroads with regards to their future number one. Alyssa Naeher has been the undisputed choice since before the 2019 World Cup and was between the sticks for the successful CONCACAF W Gold Cup campaign earlier in the month. While she will 38 by the time of the next World Cup in 2027 that is still close to the prime age for a goalkeeper so it

With the 2024 Olympics also coming up this summer it will be interesting if Naeher retains the number one jersey or whether there is an opportunity for a younger competitor to claim it for themselves.

Coming into the 2024 NWSL season I’ll look at the keepers in the hunt and consider what might be the direction going forward.

Contenders

Alyssa Naeher

Chicago Red Stars

Age 35

102 Caps

I think it’s fair to say the Red Stars had troubles at the back during the 2023 season; their 50 goals conceded in the regular season was easily the most conceded by any team. The Kansas City Current who were the second leakiest in the league conceded 36 for comparison. Under the cloud of speculation regarding the ownership of the team Captain Naeher struggled and will hope for improved performances next year.

In all club competitions she conceded 58 goals in 23 appearances. However, her PSxG (Post Shot Expected Goals; pretty much how many goals she would’ve expected to concede from the shots she faced) was 55.4 which highlights the troubles the bottom of the table Red Stars had last season.

Naeher fared significantly better during her appearances for the USWNT in 2023 and into 2024. It’s here where it’s easy to see why Twila Kilgore (and previously Vlatko Andonovski) have seen no need to make a change. Conceding just one goal during the World Cup and 2 during the victorious CONCACAF W Gold Cup performance earlier this month it’s hard to see anyone else could do better right now.

Casey Murphy

North Carolina Courage

Age 27

18 Caps

One woman who will be aiming to do better is 6’1” North Carolina Courage stopper Casey Murphy. Conceding just 21 goals in 21 appearances for the Courage in all competitions last season, unpinning one of the NWSL’s stingiest defenses won’t have done her any harm in her case for the number one shirt. Her PSxG was 21.6, showcasing her role. She was an incredibly solid figure for them last season and they will aim to improve even further in the 2024 season. 

Backed by their defense, North Carolina finished 3rd in the regular season standings, being knocked out in the quarterfinals of the playoffs by eventual winners Gotham FC.

When Naeher hasn’t been in goal for the USWNT over the last year it has been Murphy who’s been the preferred choice. Making one appearance in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and 6 in 2023 split between SheBelieves Cup and friendlies, Murphy has been given opportunities to shine for the national team. However, on the biggest stages, Naeher remains to be preferred with Murphy backing up on the bench.

Jane Campbell

Houston Dash

Age 29

7 Caps

From one of the stingiest defenses in the league to the meanest, Jane Campbell’s Houston Dash conceded a league best 18 goals in the regular season last year. Unfortunately for them they were unable to convert at the other end with a league worst 16 goals scored resulting in them finishing 10th in the regular season standings.

However, Campbell can’t do much about that and her performances were recognized with her being named 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year. Conceding just 26 goals in 27 appearances (all competitions) for the Dash, her league topping 90 saves demand she be included in the conversation. 

Since her USWNT debut in 2017 Campbell has made 7 appearances for the national team and been in and out of squads since then, highlighted by her not being included in the 2023 World Cup squad. However, she played herself back into contention and her performances earned her inclusion in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup squad. More performances like those we saw last season will surely result in her being included in more squads going forward.

Aubrey Kingsbury

Washington Spirit

Age 32

2 Caps

If Jane Campbell was the player entering herself into the conversation during the 2023 season then it was probably at Aubrey Kingsbury’s expense. Like Kingsbury herself, her Washington Spirit had a solid if unspectacular year. Finishing in 8th, just a point away from the last two playoff spots the Spirit conceded a league middling 29 goals in the regular season.

In 22 games in all competitions she conceded 27 goals, with a PSxG of 29.3 which underlines her good (but not great) performances last season.

Kingsbury was the 3rd choice keeper in the World Cup squad but lost that berth by the time of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup to Jane Campbell as mentioned earlier. She will be looking to regain her place in the squad ahead of the Olympics in the summer and could do so with some good performances in the league to help her do that.

Overview

For the immediate future at least, the direction of travel looks to be on the same course as the past, with Alyssa Naeher holding on to her number one jersey for the USWNT. Certainly, up to the Olympics in the summer at least where I would expect her to start.

However, with a relatively new coach onboard in Twila Kilgore and some eye-catching performances from some of her competitors I wouldn’t put money against one of the three contenders mentioned above to at least get some starts in upcoming friendlies as was the case in 2023.