“Irreplaceable” was the word that many used to describe Alyssa Naeher’s retirement from international soccer last year. After the Chicago Stars goalie decided to not wear her USWNT shirt anymore, fans had just one question: who is going to make those remarkable dives and heart-thumping saves now? While a definitive answer may still be up in the air, we do think that Emma Hayes praising Phallon Tullis-Joyce for doing a “tremendous” job does make her one contender to fill Naeher’s boots.

Well, as far as filling big boots go, Tullis-Joyce has been doing that for quite some time now for Manchester United. Last year, when the Red Devils lost their legend Mary Earps to Paris Saint-Germain, the rumors were that Bayern Munich goalie Mala Grohs was being eyed as a replacement. But they chose to put their faith in Tullis-Joyce instead, and she has been paying dividends ever since. Of the 18 WSL games she has started till now, the six-foot American has kept clean sheets in 12 of them, letting in only 9 goals. If that’s not good enough for you to earn a national call-up? What is?

And so the Manchester United star made the starting XI in yesterday’s clash against Brazil. While credit goes to the goals from Trinity Rodman and Lindsey Heaps (penalty), Joyce also deserves praise for keeping a clean sheet, denying the Brazilians their revenge for the 2024 Paris Olympic final defeat. Of course, Hayes couldn’t forget her contribution as the English boss spoke highly of the WSL star.

“I mean, what more could you want as a goalkeeper—a clean sheet!” began the USWNT boss in the post-match presser. “In terms of keeping the ball out the back of the net, that’s a super strength for her. Everything from set pieces to defending the cross, she did a tremendous job.”

Yet, with praise also came honest criticism. Hayes insisted that the 28-year-old still needs to work out on a few aspects of her game, especially if the goalie wishes to play more games and go long in her career. For starters, that includes eliminating a playing style she follows back with her domestic team. The former Chelsea manager believes it’s something that has been limiting her potential to improve in retrospect to how her national team plays.

“Her next step is something I’ve been clear on: her team Man United don’t play a lot of buildup. They tend to go from back to front but her next steps is with pressure being able to make the short passes to come out,” explained Hayes, who rather likes her goalies to get involved in play with their other 10 teammates on the pitch.

Then again, there’s a reason why Phallon remains a starter at Man United, having played 18 WSL games. So when the opportunity came flying to her to make a potential USA debut, boy did she step up perfectly. In fact, the clean sheet was enough for Hayes to figure out how much the Red Devils star was eager to make an impression.

“I thought she looked authoritative and commanding but I don’t want to compromise on the things that I think are really important if you want [to] control football matches. That’s the challenge for her and she knows that. But really, really pleased with her,” concluded Hayes, reminding Tullis-Joyce about the conditions to meet the team’s expectations. But we reckon it’s something that she’ll surely be able to figure out!

Impressing Emma Hayes & breaking records on USWNT debut!

Phallon Tullis-Joyce can give herself a pat on the back for stepping up when it mattered most. For starters, her debut alone marked a significant moment in USWNT history. At 28 years and 168 days old, she became the second-oldest goalkeeper to earn her first USWNT cap—just behind Aubrey Kingsbury, who was the first one at the age of 30 years and 143 days old in 2022.

But just as they say, age is just a number. For Phallon, this just might be the start of her emphatic national team career. The goalie was able to achieve more than just a clean sheet, making quite an impression with her footwork, picking out midfield gaps during the build-up, and staying laser-sharp between the sticks.

In fact, after Alyssa Naeher’s final appearance, one can proudly say that it’s Tullis-Joyce who has managed to stand out the most. Composure, awareness, and positioning herself proactively off her line—a hallmark of an engaged and confident keeper. Not to mention her six brilliant saves against Brazil, which surprisingly marks the highest tally for a US goalie since Naeher’s seven-stop performance against Germany in the Olympic semifinals.

Rest, there seemed a very confident connection between Phallon and her other teammates, especially the backline. In the majority of the cases, she was used as a loyal outlet and responded positively to her communication during transitions. If that doesn’t make her a potential Alyssa Naeher replacement, then what else will?