LYON, France — She was the biggest single U.S. concern heading into this Women's World Cup. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher had never started in a major tournament before this one, though it’s not like it was her fault that she followed two legends. The last time a USWNT keeper other than Hope Solo or Briana Scurry had started in a World Cup knockout game before 2019 was in 1991.
Back in April at an event in New York City, even Scurry wondered aloud whether Naeher was ready for her sport’s most important tournament.
“There’s one difference this World Cup team has, the USA, that no other team previously has had,” Scurry said, “and that’s a question mark at the goalkeeper position.