“With an immense gratitude and very thoughtful consideration, I have decided to retire from the international game.” We hope you’ve heard—Alyssa Naeher has announced she won’t be donning the red, white, and blue colors anymore. The veteran’s decision came just moments ago, catching many ardent fans off guard. Even though many will get to see Naeher play her final matches in the upcoming window against England and the Netherlands, she leaves a void to fill for the foreseeable future. And there’s no better time to ask who will take over the vacant No. 1 spot for the USWNT.

Of course, it’s a very cautious task, considering how crucial the role is. Having made over 113 appearances and tallying 68 clean sheets—not to mention the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, the 2020 bronze, and the 2024 gold in the Olympics under her belt—Emma Hayes certainly has a tense challenge in choosing the correct replacement. Thankfully, just like Naeher, the Stars and Stripes are blessed with a significant and talented pool of players whom the former Chelsea boss can confidently choose to guard the posts.

With Alyssa Naeher retiring, here are the top contenders for USWNT’s No. 1 spot under Emma Hayes

Casey Murphy

Having been the USWNT’s backup for a long time, Casey Murphy is the true heir to Alyssa Naeher’s throne. The 28-year-old got her first-ever call-up on November 27, 2021, against Australia, where she managed to keep a clean sheet debut game that the American ladies won 0-3 in Sydney. Of course, with Naeher mostly taking up the No. 1 spot in the majority of the games, Murphy got a little to showcase. In over 20 appearances, she has clinched 15 clean sheets. She was also part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, if you trace her domestic performances, the Bridgewater, New Jersey, native will surely win your hearts. Notably, after representing the NCAA’s Rutgers Scarlet Knights between 2014 to 2017, Murphy moved to France the following year and played for Montpellier before making a return to her home country and signing for OL Reign in 2019. After a couple of seasons, she finally moved to North Carolina Courage—also the year when she got called up to the national camp for the first time.

Last year, with 20 appearances, 9 clean sheets, and 46 saves, she made the NWSL Best XI for June. This year, though she was able to help the side get into the NWSL playoffs, an early exit was endured.

Mandy Hought

We aren’t saying she is a direct replacement per se, but one cannot rule out the quality of the Jacksonville, Florida, native star. The 26-year-old is one talented goalie who has apparently managed to wear her nation’s crest just once. Jane Campbell had suffered a muscle injury during the October friendlies, which forced Hayes to call up Hought. She made her debut on October 30, 2024, during USWNT’s 3-0 win over Argentina, also securing her first clean sheet.

Her prior experience sees her as a member of the USA’s 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Team, where she earned 10 caps during her U-20 career. She served as the starting goalkeeper for the USA at the 2018 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship and also featured at the U-18 WNT level. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, she has been a regular for the Utah Royals this season, making over 24 appearances and having recorded five clean sheets.

Jane Campbell

This is another intriguing candidate to replace Alyssa Naeher. Having received her first call-up to the U.S. Women’s National Team in January 2013 at just 17 years old, Jane Campbell is the youngest goalkeeper in history to join a Senior WNT camp. Since then, the Kennesaw, Georgia native has earned 8 international caps and recorded 5 clean sheets. Her debut came on April 9, 2017, against Russia, where she kept a clean sheet after coming on for the final 15 minutes to replace Ashlyn Harris, who had conceded the lone goal as the USWNT had secured a 5-1 victory.

Campbell’s official clean sheet came on January 22, 2021, vs. Colombia, where the American ladies had thrashed their South American neighbors 6-0. Though Campbell was selected as an alternate for the 2024 Paris Olympics, she was never named to a matchday roster. Domestically, she has been a regular for Houston Dash, having made 25 appearances in the NWSL this season.

These are the true contenders who can make their best between the sticks. Either way, who do you reckon to be the best replacement for Emma Hayes to consider following Alyssa Naeher’s exit from the national team? Let us know in the comments.