UPDATED – Champions League Kicks off Tues/Wed and while Captain America Christian Pulisic will be out until after the new year (leg injury) plenty of other American’s are in the fray looking to secure places in the knockout rounds. CC Vickers and Auston Trusty visit Zagreb with Celtic at 12 pm on Para+ Tues, while PSV Eindhoven and Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi & Richy Ledezma are on the road at Brest at 2:30 pm.
Wednesday we have Juventus with Mckinney & Weah @ Man City at 3 pm desperate for a win to stay in, Dortmund and Gio Reyna and Cole Campbell host Barcelona, while AC Milan sans Pulisic but with Musah will host Red Star Belgrade at 3 pm desperate for a win. (read all about Champs League matches below)
US Ladies Beat Dutch 2-1 after tying England 0-0
What a way for the BEST US female Goalkeeper ever Alyssa Naeher to go out on top. She made 6 saves in her final game in the net – as she kept the US ladies in the game and carried them on to victory over Holland at Holland on Tuesday. Nice to see with a makeshift new line-up up top without our Triple Expresso combo – that the US can still manufacture goals as coach pulled all the right strings in finding a way to win despite being literally slaughtered in the first half. The US was down 1-0 but it could have been far worse as the Dutch shot 15 times – 4 times on goal. Naeher continued her heroics into the 2nd half where she bailed out the US time and time again. Again – not sure who is going to take her place – but the boots are mighty big to fill. (tons of stories below) Game Highlights https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ANF6VYkqJE
Super impressive to see 85K in Wembley to see the #1 vs #2 last weekend as the US faced England at Wembley. Again nice to see we can tie a game when our best attackers are at home Highlights – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1nLQ6doNww.
MLS Finally Plays a Game on TV as the Finals will be on Fox at 4 pm
The LA Galaxy will host the New York Red Bulls Saturday at home at 4 pm on Fox and Apple TV Free – LA will be playing without play maker Puig however so look for the Red Bulls to really challenge for their first ever trophy. I will have full Champions League updates on Monday before the Next Round kicks off Tues/Wed
USMNT midweek viewing guide: Rising to the challenge in Champions League for US Players
Following along with all the USMNT players in action this midweek.
By Justin Moran@kickswish Dec 9, 2024, 7:50am PST Stars and Stripes
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Tuesday
- Dinamo Zagreb vs Celtic, 11:45a on Paramount+, ViX: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, and Celtic visit Zagreb to start things off for USMNT action in UEFA Champions League this week.
- Brest vs PSV Eindhoven, 2p on Paramount+, ViX: Ricardo Pepi, Malik TIllman, Richy Ledezma, and PSV visit French side Brest in Champions League.
Also in action:
- Burnley vs Derby, 1:45p on Paramount+: Luca Koleosho and Burnley host Derby County in the Championship.
- Leeds vs Middlesbrough, 2p on Paramount+: Aidan Morris and Boro visit Brenden Aaronson and Leeds in the Championship.
Wednesday
- AC Milan vs Red Star Belgrade, 3p on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, FuboTV (free trial), ViX: Christian Pulisic came off injured last week, and is expected to be out until around Christmas, while Yunus Musah should be available for Milan as they host Crvena Zvezda in Champions League.
- Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona, 3p on Paramount+, TUDN USA, UniMás, Univision NOW, FuboTV, ViX: Gio Reyna, Cole Campbell, and BVB welcome Barça into Signal Iduna Park for this Champions League match.
- Juventus vs Manchester City, 3p on Paramount+, ViX: Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juve host Man City in Champions League.
Also in action:
- Arsenal vs Monaco, 2p on Paramount+, ViX: Folarin Balogun is expected to miss Monaco’s clash with his former club, due to a shoulder injury.
- VfB Stuttgart vs Young Boys, 2p on Paramount+, ViX: Anrie Chase and Stuttgart welcome Young Boys into town for this Champions League match.
- West Brom vs Coventry, 2p on Paramount+: Haji Wright and Coventry City visit Daryl Dike’s club West Bromwich Albion in the Championship. Dike is out with an Achilles tendon injury, expected back mid-January.
Thursday
- Lyon vs Frankfurt, 2p on Paramount+, ViX: Nathaniel Brown and Eintracht Frankfurt pay a visit to Tanner Tessmann and Lyon in Europa League.
Also in action:
- Fiorentina vs LASK Linz, 11:45a on Paramount+, ViX: George Bello and LASK go on the road against Fiorentina in Europa Conference League.
- Başakşehir vs Heidenheim, 11:45a on Paramount+, ViX: Lennard Maloney and Heidenheim visit Istanbul Başakşehir in Conference League.
TV GAME SCHEDULE
Fri, 12/6
12:30 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Parma
2:45 pm PAra+ Atalanta vs AC Milan (Pulisic & Musah)
Sat Dec 7th
07:30 AM ET USA Everton vs. Liverpool (English Premier League)
10:00 AM USA Brentford vs. Newcastle United
12 noon CBS Juventus (Weah, McKinney) vs Bologna
12:20 pm ESPN+ Monchengladbach (Scalley) vs -Dortmund (Reyna)
12:30 pm NBC Man U vs Nottingham Forrest
4 pm Fox MLS Cup LA Galaxy vs NY Red Bulls
Sunday, December 08
09:00 AM Peacock Fulham vs. Arsenal (English Premier League)
09:00 AM USA Leicester City vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (English Premier League
11:30 AM USA Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea (English Premier League)
Monday, December 09
3:00 PM USA West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (English Premier League)
TUES/Wed Champions League
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
| Home | Away | Time/TV | Streaming | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dinamo Zagreb |  Celtic | 12:45 pmParamount+ | Stadion Maksimir | |
 Girona |  Liverpool | 12:45 pmParamount+ | Estadi Municipal de Montilivi | |
 Bayer Leverkusen |  Inter | 3:00 pmParamount+ | BayArena | |
 Atalanta |  Real Madrid | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Gewiss Stadium | |
 Club Brugge |  Sporting CP | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Jan Breydelstadion | |
 RB Salzburg |  PSG | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Red Bull Arena | |
 Brest |  PSV | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Stade du Roudourou | |
 Shakhtar Donetsk |  Bayern Munich | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Veltins-Arena | |
 RB Leipzig |  Aston Villa | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Red Bull Arena |
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
| Home | Away | Time/TV | Streaming | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Atletico Madrid |  Slovan Bratislava | 12:45 pmParamount+ | Estadio Civitas Metropolitano | |
 Lille |  SK Sturm Graz | 12:45 pmParamount+ | Stade Pierre Mauroy | |
 Borussia Dortmund |  Barcelona | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Signal Iduna Park | |
 Stuttgart |  Young Boys | 3:00 pmParamount+ | MHPArena | |
 Juventus |  Manchester City | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Allianz Stadium | |
 AC Milan |  Red Star Belgrade | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Stadio Giuseppe Meazza | |
 Feyenoord |  Sparta Praha | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Stadion Feijenoord | |
 Arsenal |  Monaco | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Emirates Stadium | |
 Benfica |  Bologna | 3:00 pmParamount+ | Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica |
Champions League
🚨 Alisson returns! Liverpool name lineup for UCL clash with Girona
Will Liverpool benefit from topping Champions League table?
“It’s a Dream” – Girona Manager Previews Liverpool Champions League Clash
Official: Triple Juventus injury boost for Man City game confirmed
Fonseca: Milan are a ‘team for the Champions League’, ‘no doubt’ on Serie A future
UCL | Motta: there is great solidarity on the pitch
Arteta grapples with defensive injury crisis ahead of Monaco clash
US Women
Pulisic, ‘Triple Espresso’ headline U.S. POTY noms
How the USWNT beat the Dutch in the fight for Lily Yohannes
Hayes: Retiring Naeher ‘greatest’ USWNT GK ever ESPNFC
USWNT-Netherlands talking points: Naeher shines in send-off, Dutch show promise without Yohannes
Alyssa Naeher stays true to her stoic ways in final USWNT game
U.S. to face Japan, Australia in SheBelieves Cup
FIFA reportedly exploring expanding Women’s World Cup to 48 teams
Club World Cup
Club World Cup draw reaction: Best teams, players to watch, predictions and more
Draw reveals Madrid, Boca, City, Miami CWC spots
Miami owner denies ‘controversy’ over CWC place
Club World Cup draw pairs Man City with Juventus; Chelsea face Flamengo
FIFA confirms free to view broadcast deal for 2025 Club World Cup
MLS
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi’s wins race for 2024 MLS Most Valuable Player
GoalKeeping
3 former Arsenal goalkeepers nominated for Save of the Month
Report: Man Utd Eye Fresh Goalkeeping Talent This Winter
Reffing
Champions League projections – 75% of league stage done: 16% chance of Liverpool champions, Man City at 8%
By Anantaajith Raghuraman Dec 10, 2024 The Athletic
We’ve reached that point of the season when the Champions League group stage concludes with a grand flou… oh no we haven’t. This is 2024-25, so matchday six is now merely the 75 per cent point of the league stage, with two further rounds of games in January to come.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to get stuck into this week. Liverpool face their first early kick-off in this season’s competition away at Girona on Tuesday, while Wednesday sees Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona take each other on in another clash close to the summit. And Real Madrid and Manchester City will look to break out of their slumps with difficult trips to Italy (against Atalanta and Juventus, respectively).
With help from The Athletic’s Opta-powered Champions League projections, here are the key fixtures that could dictate movement in the table and future fortunes this week. Click the link below to explore further.
Champions League projections 2024-25: Each team’s probability of qualifying for knockouts
Girona vs Liverpool – Tuesday, 5.45pm GMT/12:45pm EST
Liverpool are yet to drop a point after five matches and were convincing 2-0 winners against Real Madrid last time out. Even a draw on Tuesday would secure progress into the knockout playoff at the very least for Arne Slot’s men as they would be at least seven points clear of the team in 24th with two games to go. That would merely be the first step, with our projections revealing they have a 98 per cent chance of finishing in the top eight and are the only side predicted to get 20+ points in the maiden league stage.
Girona have struggled in their inaugural European campaign, picking up only one win from five matches with narrow defeats against Paris Saint-Germain, Feyenoord and Sturm Graz. Milan and Arsenal are next, so their chances of league-stage elimination stand at 95 per cent.
Atalanta vs Real Madrid – Tuesday, 8pm GMT/3pm EST
Real Madrid’s injuries have hampered their ability to build chemistry with Kylian Mbappe and has led to inconsistency. Their record over the last seven games in all competitions reads loss, win, win, loss, win, loss, win.
Madrid’s defeat in Liverpool saw their risk of exiting in the league stage rise from five per cent to seven per cent, but they still have a 91 per cent chance of making it to the knockout playoff at least with Red Bull Salzburg at home and Brest away to come after this. In fact, our projections have Real Madrid as the most likely side to feature in the knockout playoffs — not the smooth progression the holders would have hoped for, but at least a chance to regroup in 2025.
But this is a tough fixture. Atalanta have conceded just once in the Champions League and that came in a 6-1 thrashing of Young Boys in Matchweek five. They sit top of Serie A and beat Milan on Friday, extending their winning run to nine games in all competitions. Victory here — especially with Barcelona and Dortmund facing each other — could see their top eight odds (currently at 58 per cent) improve significantly.
Madrid struggled last time out against Liverpool (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen vs Inter – Tuesday, 8pm GMT/3pm EST
Leverkusen and Inter have taken differing approaches but find themselves in similar positions. Xabi Alonso’s side have netted 11 times and let in five, while Inter’s resolute defence means they are the only team yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition, but have scored only seven at the other end.
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Leverkusen’s odds of finishing in the top eight are at 39 per cent with a visit to Atletico Madrid in January, so any points here will be crucial. Inter, meanwhile, picked up four points from their toughest fixtures against Manchester City and Arsenal, making their finish to the league stage (away at Sparta Prague and Monaco at home) comparatively straightforward. As it stands, our Opta-powered projections have Inter as narrow favourites to win the Champions League, ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona – Wednesday, 8pm GMT/3pm EST
Barcelona have enjoyed success against German opposition, beating Bayern Munich 4-1 at home in matchday three — just 24 hours after Dortmund conceded five second-half goals and lost 5-2 against Real Madrid after going 2-0 up after 34 minutes.
But the situation six weeks later is different. Barcelona are facing their first wobble under Hansi Flick, picking up only two wins in their last six outings in all competitions. One of those was against Brest in their last Champions League match, which boosted their chances of direct qualification into the round of 16 to a very healthy 76 per cent.
Dortmund are still finding themselves under Nuri Sahin but are unbeaten in their last four matches, a run which includes a 1-1 draw with Bayern in the Bundesliga. They beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 last time out in the Champions League, so their chances of a top-eight finish are at a bullish 75 per cent.
Barcelona thrashed Bayern on Matchday three (David Ramos/Getty Images)
Barcelona end the league stage with tricky fixtures against Benfica (away) and Atalanta (home), so probably have more riding on this game as Dortmund will take on Bologna (away) and Shakhtar Donetsk (home) in January.
Juventus vs Manchester City – Wednesday, 8pm GMT/3pm EST
For both these teams, the focus has largely been on their underperformance in the league. Juventus, yet to lose in Serie A, have drawn nine of their 15 league games and are sixth, while City have lost four of their 15 — already more than in the entirety of their title-winning 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons — and are fourth.
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Wednesday’s match, therefore, represents an opportunity to generate momentum while getting their Champions League campaigns on track. Both teams have eight points after five matches, while Leverkusen, Arsenal and Monaco, who round out the top eight as it stands, have 10 each.
Juventus and Man City play Club Brugge as part of their two final fixtures of the league phase. The Italian side travel to Benfica for their final game, while Man City travel to PSG on matchday seven. That surely means that Juventus, who have a nine per cent chance of finishing in the top eight compared to City’s 15, have more riding on this game, especially in front of their home crowd.
(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Around the league
- Arsenal face an upbeat Monaco in a match that could see one of the two drop out of the top eight by end of play on Wednesday. Arsenal have a 70 per cent chance of directly qualifying for the round of 16 in comparison to Monaco’s 15 per cent, so the French side probably need the points more.
- Celtic have recovered admirably from their 7-1 defeat by Dortmund in Matchweek two, collecting five points from the last three matches. A win at Dinamo Zagreb, who are only a point behind them, would give them a boost with Young Boys up next.
- Defeat against Bayern in matchweek five left PSG just outside the knockout spots. Anything less than a victory at Red Bull Salzburg, who have also won just once, and the sound of the already-ringing alarm bells will border on cacophonous.
Five talkings points ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League games
ByHarry Diamond10/12/2024
Five talking points ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League games, featuring Celtic’s chances of progression and a meeting between the German and Italian champions.
Can Celtic reach the knockout rounds?
It’s been six seasons since Celtic last reached the knockout rounds in European competition. In the Champions League, that barren run stretches back more than a decade (2012/13).
Celtic, however, have positioned themselves in a place to break that drought. Eight points from five games leaves the Scottish champions 20th, in a play-off position and above sides including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
An embarrassing 7-1 thrashing at Borussia Dortmund aside, Celtic have performed admirably in their European ventures including a win over RB Leipzig and battling point at an impressive Atalanta side. With Dinamo Zagreb and a Young Boys side without a point to come next, Brendan Rodgers’ side can end their wait for knockout stage football.
A chance for Reds to rotate?
Liverpool are within touching distance of the Round of 16, having taken maximum points from their five games to lead the Champions League standings. Arne Slot’s side have been almost flawless in Europe, conceding just once in the Champions League ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Girona. Another victory will move the Reds closer to a guaranteed top-eight finish, though could Slot decide that tonight is an ideal time to rotate?
Liverpool face a tricky test against Fulham at the weekend, before a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton in midweek. The Reds received an unexpected rest at the weekend when the Merseyside Derby was postponed due to safety concerns, though the clash with Girona – who have one win and four defeats in Europe – could allow Slot to hand minutes to several players on the fringe of his first XI. The likes of Jarell Quansah, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Darwin Nunez will hope to come in.
Champions of Germany and Italy meet
The headline fixture from Tuesday’s ties sees Bayer Leverkusen host Inter Milan. The Bundesliga and Serie A champions go head-to-head at the BayArena, with both positioned in the all-important top eight as things stand. Leverkusen and Inter have impressed in Europe to date, though are embroiled in tense fights to defend their crowns domestically.
Xabi Alonso’s side, who completed an unbeaten German double in 2023/24, are seven points behind Bayern Munich in the title race.
Inter, meanwhile, are third in Serie A, though have a game in hand on leaders Atalanta who are just three points above them. Both teams will regard themselves as potential dark horses in this competition, in a Champions League campaign where several of the traditional heavyweights are yet to hit their stride.
Duran’s shirt to lose?
Jhon Duran could not be doing much more in his quest to become Aston Villa’s main man. The Colombian has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, despite starting just four games. He has averaged a goal every 82.7 minutes of action and marked his first Premier League start of the campaign with the winner against Southampton at the weekend.
At 20, Duran is a player brimming with potential and his development this season has handed Unai Emery a selection headache. Ollie Watkins remains first choice but has scored just once from open play in his last seven Premier League appearances. Ahead of Tuesday’s trip to face RB Leipzig, Emery will be pondering whether Duran deserves a run of games. It’s a welcome dilemma for the Villa boss.
PSG in real danger of becoming league phase casualties
Some have suggested the new Champions League format is designed to protect the bigger teams from early exits. As things stand, it has not turned out that way. Real Madrid are currently clinging to a play-off position, while Paris Saint-Germain are in danger of missing the cut altogether.
The French champions have not won in the Champions League since a fortunate victory over Girona on matchday one, losing to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, and drawing with PSV since.
It leaves them battling to make the knockout rounds, with Manchester City still to visit the Parc des Princes in the coming weeks. Success in Europe has been the elusive dream for the PSG board and their head coaches have been judged on results in this competition.
Luis Enrique’s position will be under real threat if he fails to secure progress, even given the decision to move to a longer-term project in Paris. There is no room for error ahead of a trip to RB Salzburg on matchday six.
USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher comes up big in her final game for the United States
By Steph Yang Dec 3, 2024
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher played her final game for the United States women’s national team in a 2-1 win against the Netherlands on Tuesday to close out the year for the team. Naeher ends her international career with 115 caps and 69 shutouts. Although there wasn’t a clean sheet against the Netherlands, she came up with several key saves, including a leaping reaction block in the 38th minute and a sprawling stop with her feet in the 69th minute.It was a poor first half from the United States. Head coach Emma Hayes made an unusual shift in her lineup, pushing Rose Lavelle into the left-wing position while lining up Sam Coffey, Korbin Albert and Lindsey Horan in midfield. But they were ineffective in the middle, which, combined with Jenna Nighswonger having a bad game at left back, left the defense largely exposed.
The Netherlands took full advantage, running the midfield and pressing deep while the U.S. struggled playing out under pressure. In the 11th minute, the Netherlands scored the opener from a set piece as Albert didn’t mark her player in the box tightly enough, leaving 18-year-old Veerle Buurman in the right spot for a header that looped over Naeher’s outstretched glove to make it 1-0.
Netherlands celebrates scoring the opening goal against the U.S. (Maurice Van Steen / Getty Images)
Buurman headed in another goal for the Netherlands, although it was into her own net in the 44th minute, gifting the U.S. the momentum going into the break at 1-1. Hayes made two changes to start the second half, bringing on Lynn Williams for Jaedyn Shaw and Emily Sonnett for Nighswonger while shifting Emily Fox to left back. She also withdrew Lavelle deeper, although she had already been dropping throughout the first half, as well as switching sides of the field to find an outlet for the attack.Hayes went with almost a complete line rotation in the 67th minute, subbing out Horan, Albert, and Lavelle for Lily Yohannes, Hal Hershfelt, and Alyssa Thompson. This was Yohannes’ first cap for the U.S. since formally declaring her intention to play for the team. Yohannes was used in an attacking-midfield role behind Williams while Thompson assumed her usual spot on the left wing and Hershfelt dropped deep in midfield.Williams gave the U.S. the lead in the 70th minute, smartly finishing a cross delivered from Yazmeen Ryan on the right. Ryan was a constant source of energy throughout this game, following up a similarly bright performance in the previous game against England.
The U.S. celebrates Williams’ go-ahead goal. (Brad Smith / Getty Images)
The 17-year-old Yohannes looked slightly nervy on the ball, which was understandable given she was playing against the other nation courting her senior national team allegiance. Dutch fans booed and whistled whenever Yohannes was on the ball, presumably in disapproval of her decision to play for the U.S.Hayes’ final sub was Ally Sentnor for Ryan in the 85th minute in a like-for-like swap.
The U.S. had a late chance on goal as Thompson fought her way past a defender and tried to put in a hard shot on goal at a steep angle. Thompson, like Ryan, once again looked comfortable in her position in the minutes she had on the field. Conversely, a few obvious positions were lacking in this game, with Albert looking disconnected from the front line in the midfield to Nighswonger getting beaten on defense. Horan also couldn’t find the right sense of timing or urgency on the ball. With Hershfelt, Yohannes and Shaw all circling starting roles, Hayes will undoubtedly experiment further throughout 2025.(Top photo: Pau Barrena / Getty Images)
Alyssa Naeher stays true to her stoic ways in final game, but U.S. teammates are full of emotion
By Megan Fering c 4, 2024
It is 11.30pm at Bingoal Stadium in the Netherlands and Lynn Williams is crying.The U.S. women’s national team forward will see her teammate Alyssa Naeher in four days. After all, the 36-year-old goalkeeper is invited to her wedding. But that is not the point.Rather, following the USWNT’s 2-1 friendly win against the Netherlands, Williams has tears in her eyes as she speaks about Naeher. And Naomi Girma, fresh off extending the USWNT’s unbeaten run under head coach Emma Hayes to 15 matches (13 wins, two draws), is speaking about hugs and not wanting to let go. When she’s done, the centre-back releases an earnest round of applause for Naeher as the stalwart wraps up her final piece of USWNT media duty for the night and, potentially, ever.Naeher does not bow. She shoots Girma a wry but familial glance and nods towards the mixed zone’s exit. Despite the thick fog of emotions permeating the air and the knowledge that this friendly is meant to be a final —, not just for the U.S. year — Naeher is still Naeher. She is still in her No. 1 goalkeeper shirt and full kit because “the showers are better at the hotel”.
USWNT on goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher: ‘We’re making her a little more mushy gushy’
She carries the match ball — signed by her teammates at her request — under her arm as if she is organising a pick-up game in the parking lot, rather than about to walk onto the U.S. team bus after a representative match for the last time on the international stage.
In a match that focused on the future, revolving around Lily Yohannes and the global tug of war for her signature, there was something appropriate about the 90 minutes unfurling instead like an ode to one of the team’s longest-serving players.
Alyssa Naeher clears the ball during the international friendly match against the Netherlands (Pau Barrena / Getty Images)
On a cold, wet night in Den Haag, Naeher went full vintage, producing a showreel of classic cuts.
There was no clean sheet on her 115th and final cap, with Netherlands debutante Veerle Buurman heading a goal home just after the quarter-hour mark to give the hosts a deserved lead. The next 15 minutes were such a show of dominance that the home crowd broke into a Mexican wave. But an argument stands that, without jeopardy, it would hardly have been a proper send-off for a player like Naeher.The two-time World Cup winner has always straddled this space exquisitely, showing up when needed to keep the team within touching distance of winning. Naturally, here she was again, smudging the margins, denying Andries Jonker’s side a larger lead despite their 15 shots at goal before half-time, allowing for a fortunate Buurnam own goal and second-half U.S. substitutes to decide the game.“You want to be able to contribute and help the team win, and I was just glad I was able to do that,” Naeher tells The Athletic after the match. “To finish, not just for my last game… but for this team to finish the year that we’ve had on a high and to get the win was great.”Before kick-off, Naeher was honoured by the Dutch FA for her final appearance. The Bingoal Stadium announcer read aloud her various laurels and accolades. On his final note, a mostly-orange-clad stadium rose in applause.“I’d been given a heads-up that something was going to happen ahead of time, but I think that’s one of the beautiful things about this game — the mutual respect from country to country,” Naeher says. “We compete hard, but we respect and know each other as opponents. So that was very thoughtful of them, and it means a lot.”The applause from the stands also spoke to Naeher’s legacy, both within the confines of the U.S. and, critically, outside.“She’s the best,” Girma tells The Athletic. “She’s created some incredible moments and her legacy as a goalkeeper is going to be second to none. She has made saves in the biggest moments even today.“What I’ll remember (about) her as teammates off the field is just how much of a humble leader she is, how she always puts the team in front of her, and how she has been the center of this team for so many years.”
Alyssa Naeher leads the huddle during USWNT training at ADO Den Haag Stadium. (Brad Smith / Getty Images)
The center of the USWNT is shifting. Hayes’ second-half substitutions showcased that, with Yohannes, Hal Hershfelt and Ally Sentnor getting minutes and Yazmeen Ryan and Alyssa Thompson continuing to impress.The arrival of Yohannes — marking her first USWNT cap since formally declaring her intention to play for the team instead of the Netherlands — was particularly intriguing. Her initial substitution received warm applause and then, in the final minutes, every touch inspired a guttural chorus of boos. But then Naeher would make a save or intervention and these things would be forgotten.In a match with 22 shots, Naeher made six big saves, of varying degrees of difficulty, as if undertaking a secret goalkeeping examination. The result: Naeher is still world-class. She still has that dog in her. That she is stepping off the international stage now, still seemingly unflappable, begs the question of who will replace her. But the question does not plague Naeher.
“I’m excited to see what they can do and how that competition continues to go,” she says. “There’s a great pool of young goalkeepers that are going to be able to compete with each other and get on the field and everything else. I’m really excited to see that next generation of great goalkeepers, but also the team as a whole. I’m their number one fan.”For a player who has epitomised the USWNT’s unwavering competitive edge, the last few months of Naeher’s career have made public a different side.t is why Girma held on long and hard in her final-whistle-of-a-win hug.“I was like, I’m not letting you go,” Girma says. “I’m very, very sad. I’m very happy for her, but she’s a legend. She’s so good. For me in the back, I always feel so secure with her behind me. But also, as a person. She’s sarcastic, she’s funny. That’s her front. And then you just got to get beneath it… Yeah, I’m going to miss her so much.”
Naeher’s ponytail is still messy as she speaks in the mixed zone. Under her arm, the signatures of her teammates on the match ball’s skin gleam in the cameras’ lights.“They were very nice to let me have it,” Naeher says, looking down, allowing a small smile to spread across her face. “I asked the team to sign it. One of the keepsakes. I have quite a few. I keep the big stuff. This is a big thing.”Top photo: Brad Smith / Getty Images)
Takeaways from a tepid USWNT showing at Wembley.
By Emily Olsen Dec 2, 2024
Full Time Newsletter ⚽| This is The Athletic’s weekly women’s soccer newsletter. Sign up here to receive Full Time directly in your inbox.
Welcome back to Full Time, where we’re recapping the U.S. women’s national team’s 0-0 draw with England over the weekend and looking ahead to what’s next.
Emily Olsen here with Meg Linehan, Steph Yang and Melanie Anzidei. You can probably guess who was voted the most-coveted holiday dinner guest from the women’s soccer world, but be sure to check the answer at the end!
Live From Wembley
What we learned
Out of the 90 minutes of soccer played in front of 78,346 fans at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, it was hard to read much into it for the USWNT beyond what is already established about the team through its 2024 record:
- They have regained their footing on the international stage.
- Naomi Girma is still a generational player, and …
- The Triple Espresso forward line is the best option for scoring goals (it’s even more glaring when they’re not present).
That’s not to say the match was a waste of time, because it wasn’t, but it also felt like the end of a very long year for a lot of folks (and was played on a holiday weekend in the States to boot). Yazmeen Ryan is going to get a ton of shine out of her second-half performance (deserved!), and Ally Sentnor finally got her first cap for the senior team. But there’s a reason why head coach Emma Hayes fixated on that late move from outside back Emily Fox getting endline then trying to cut the ball back in across the face of goal … and finding nothing but the white shirts of England players.
The details weren’t there, but not in a panic-inducing way. The younger players who need big-game experiences on the road got that, but after this year, a little grace feels right. Now, everything is building toward 2027, and even before that, World Cup qualifiers in 2026. The fine-tuning will come. The pressure’s never off for the USWNT, but they should enjoy the dip now while they can.
A special place for Thompson, Sentnor
Alyssa Thompson and Sentnor, both 20, feel like they’re part of a new generation of NWSL players who are able to really leverage their club play into national team appearances. Maybe that’s just confirmation bias, seeing as they’re already capped, but it’s really nice to see rookies (or relative rookies) able to make a case for themselves week in and week out. Emily Sams is another part of this cohort, and but for her injury, Croix Bethune would also be in this group.
Thompson and Sentnor in particular got their respective moments to shine at Wembley over the weekend. For Sentnor, congratulations are due for her first international cap after a standout season with the Utah Royals — all the more compelling for just how bad the Royals were overall. For Thompson, she started against England in the very stadium where she debuted two years ago. And just as she did in 2022, Thompson looked ready to take on a lot of responsibility on the wings.
- This time, Thompson willingly pitted herself against as experienced and wily of a fullback there is in Lucy Bronze, and frequently came out on top.
- With more reps and more time to develop a relationship with whomever Hayes decides is the future of the USWNT centrally, Thompson could really force a dilemma with Mal Swanson still very much in the picture and still very much at her peak.
Much will depend on the next two years, both for country and for club. Honestly, Sentnor may end up hunting for a different club environment to help with her development. With that said, if she feels both challenged and taken care of, that can be more important than her club’s overall place in the standings. It’s just so abominably competitive in the USWNT attack right now that it makes sense to seek out every possible advantage.
Matt Krohn / USA Today Sports via Imagn Images
Keep an eye on Yohannes tomorrow
If there was one comment multiple USWNT players had to say about Lily Yohannes the first time she was called into camp, way back in March, it was that the then-16-year-old was mature beyond her years. Mature in her play, mature in her habits as a professional, mature as a team member in camp with plenty of veteran players — some of whom have been professionals since Yohannes was in grade school.We’ll see if Hayes judges that maturity to be ready to play serious minutes against the Netherlands in the Netherlands tomorrow (2:45 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV and Universo), knowing full well that this is a team for which Yohannes considered declaring her allegiance. What a vote of confidence that would be from the gaffer, whether Yohannes handles it well or not.
It would also be a real declaration of intent from Hayes. It’s already obvious that, at this point, she’s willing to take some risks with her player pool and look outside of the typical channels. Hayes had to play everything so tightly for the Olympics, which we saw in her unwillingness to tinker at all with her lineup. So now, in this freer period, tossing Yohannes into as high-pressure a situation as you can find in a friendly would help define the actual boundaries around Hayes’ listen-and-learn tour.
Meg’s Corner
Banda rises above the noise
I’ve been lucky enough to see Barbra Banda play live a couple of times this year, at the Olympics and at the NWSL championship. As talented as she looks on television, in person, she feels transcendent — shaping a game to her will, dragging defenders, reading the game at a ridiculous speed.
There were a few deserving candidates for the MVP of the NWSL championship, but in the end, my vote went to Banda. Big players step up in big moments, and she did. The game itself was underwhelming, but the memory I will treasure came from the postgame news conference with Banda and Marta, still riding the high of the win. Banda’s smile was contagious; Marta’s emotions were everything. It was a special night.
As Banda, 24, hoisted two trophies into the air at CPKC Stadium, there was only celebration and recognition for her first season in the NWSL. Only days later, though, she became the target of a bad-faith attack over hermedical eligibility to play following yet another trophy (this one from the BBC, with the final award selection done via public vote).
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With these attacks swirling across women’s football, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes met the moment ahead of the Wembley match. “Barbra Banda is an amazing football player. I think it’s ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, to be quite honest with you,” she said during a news conference. “She has our support.”
To detail those transphobic and racist attacks here is to give them oxygen, especially when they are so easily refuted by objective fact. To their credit, the Orlando Pride stepped up for their player, as did NWSL players association president Meghann Burke. The league itself and its commissioner, on the other hand, were MIA in a moment where its “organizational values” were needed.
🎧 The latest from the “Full Time” podcast: Reacting to Alyssa Naeher’s retirement and analyzing the final USWNT roster of 2024.
Carli Lloyd undoubtedly earned her National Soccer Hall of Fame induction, and few will argue
By Steph Yang Dec 3, 2024
Carli Lloyd was voted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2025, the organization announced on Tuesday. It’s an honor she has earned through two World Cup titles, scoring two gold-medal-winning goals in two Olympics and several individual awards earned during her decade-long career.Lloyd is one of three players selected off the list of finalists, which included Yael Averbuch, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Cat Whitehill and Amy Rodriguez. The induction ceremony will be held next year on May 3 in Frisco, Texas.ne of the finest moments in Lloyd’s career came at the 2015 World Cup when her hat-trick in the final against Japan earned the U.S. women’s national team its third World Cup. Her USWNT senior team career spanned 16 years and 316 caps (second only to Kristine Lilly), helping them win two World Cups, two Olympic gold medals and an Olympic bronze medal. She won the FIFA Golden Ball for the 2015 World Cup, was named FIFA’s player of the year in 2015 and 2016 (when the award was renamed as The Best) and has been included in various world best XIs.
Lloyd is the first player to score a hat trick in a Women’s World Cup final. (Christopher Morris / Getty Images)
Given her long list of accomplishments, there was never a question Lloyd would carry the day in voting. While her club accomplishments haven’t always kept pace — playing several seasons for the underperforming Houston Dash in the NWSL didn’t help — her national team accomplishments are more than enough to dazzle even the most jaded voter.
Lloyd, along with former USMNT goalkeeper Nick Rimando, earned the player induction as one of two players listed on at least 50 percent of the ballots. Lloyd was on 47 ballots, with 97.9 percent of the votes.
The only question was whether it would happen on a player or a veteran ballot, which is for players who have been retired for more than 10 full calendar years. With only three spots for players and a 20-person ballot that includes both men and women, sometimes those who should be shoe-ins find themselves delayed a few years.
Retiring in 2021, Lloyd officially became eligible for the player ballot in 2024 after being out of the game for at least three full calendar years, as well as having played at least 20 full international games and at least five seasons in a first division league. It’s yet another testament to her resume that she was voted in during her first year of eligibility.
Lloyd, who has created a somewhat contentious public persona both as a player and now as a commentator, said in 2021 during her retirement tour that “everybody was trying to drag me down.”
Lloyd’s comments have long divided the U.S. fanbase, and at time players. (Ira L. Black – Corbis / Getty Images)
“I don’t know if it was sort of the Kobe or Jordan thing where, in my mind, I had these nemeses and I just created these storylines in my head where I just wanted to stick it to people,” Lloyd told The Athletic back then. “There’s probably a little bit of that, but I think there’s some truth, as well. But I look back and I’m like, ‘I thought all of these people hated me. I thought everyone had so many bad things to say about me.’ Now, I’ve announced my retirement and I’m just shocked. There’s all this support I’ve received.’”
Carli Lloyd’s USWNT criticism a natural extension of her public persona
The controversy usually came due to off-field issues both during and after her career, such as calling Megan Rapinoe kneeling to protest police brutality against Black Americans a “distraction” or saying USWNT players shouldn’t have smiled and danced after managing to advance from the group stage of the 2023 World Cup.By her own account, being cut from the USWNT under-21 team in 2003, because the coach perceived she wasn’t working hard enough, flipped a switch. Lloyd vowed she would never get dropped again over hard work. Much of her career, at least as publicly discussed, has been motivated by proving criticism wrong. She detailed much of this journey in her autobiography When Nobody Was Watching, discussing her single-minded pursuit of winning, though at times it cost her some of her closest familial relationships — a rift she eventually mended in 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.here’s never been any denying that Lloyd was a force on the field. She could be a battering ram of a 10, and her dedication to staying healthy and fit is honestly instructive given how long she played with few major gaps in her availability.Again, the Hall of Fame’s criteria is about accomplishment, and Lloyd has oodles of that with more to spare. There’s no doubt she should be in the class of 2025, nor should it be a surprise that she went through in her first year.(Top photo: Robert Cianflone / FIFA via Getty Images)
The Ole BallCoach 
