Fansided

USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and the ghost of Hope Solo

By Clemente Lisi

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 25: Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (1) kicks the ball during the soccer match between the Orlando Pride and the Chicago Red Stars on August 25, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 25: Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (1) kicks the ball during the soccer match between the Orlando Pride and the Chicago Red Stars on August 25, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alyssa Naeher faces her biggest World Cup test to date against Sweden. Can she sweep aside Hope Solo’s ghost and help win the game?

Who is the starting goalkeeper for the United  States?

If your answer is Hope Solo, then you know exactly what Alyssa Naeher has had to deal with for the past few years.

Naeher supplanted Solo as the starter after the outspoken goalie got herself thrown off the team for making some harsh comments at Sweden after they eliminated the USWNT from the quarterfinals of the Rio Olympics.

That’s what happens when you brand an opponent as “cowards” after the game was over for the way Sweden played defense to push it to penalties.

Enter Naeher. With Solo and U.S Soccer failing to reconcile, coach Jill Ellis has been grooming the former back-up for just a big tournament like the World Cup in France.

Naeher has seen very little action in the first two games, against Thailand and Chile, after the USWNT posted lopsided scores against those minnows.

But Thursday’s final group-stage match against Sweden will be different. A win in that game represents both a chance at revenge from that 2016 defeat and the chance to win the group.

Naeher’s teammates have described her as the strong and silent type.

“I think Alyssa Naeher doesn’t want anybody to learn about Alyssa Naeher,” said teammate Carli Lloyd.

Naeher is talented, but filling Solo’s shoes is difficult. She may very well be the most-accomplished goalie in American history — male or female — and has been successful for over a decade. Solo holds many National Team records, including most shutouts (102), most appearances for a goalkeeper (202), most starts (190), most wins (154) and longest undefeated streak (55 games).

In a way, Solo hangs like a ghost above this team. The only way to exorcise this spirit is to do well. Naeher has done well. Since taking over for Solo following the Olympics, she’s lost just three of 43 games, while posting 25 shutouts (including back-to-back ones at the World Cup).

The key for Naeher is also not to buckle under the pressure of Thursday’s game. It is worth noting that Solo had her fair share of loses against Sweden.

Next. Who will the USWNT play in the round of 16?. dark

“She’s really good. Great with her feet, great shot stopper,” said midfielder Julie Ertz, who is teammates with Naeher with the NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars.

Making matters worse is that Solo is in  France working as an analyst for the BBC. Although she has claimed to have moved on, she’s already taken shots at Ellis for her coaching and the players for showing too much exuberance when celebrating those goals against Thailand once the score hit double digits.

One can only wonder what Solo will day should Naeher let in a soft goal or the U.S. lose because of poor goalkeeping.