Alyssa Naeher Named NWSL Player of the Week
Alyssa Naeher of the Chicago Red Stars has been named NWSL Player of the Week after recording 16 saves during Week 6 of the 2018 campaign. The NWSL Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by the NWSL Media Association, a collection of writers that cover the league on a consistent basis.
NWSL Soccer News: Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has received NWSL Player of the Week honors, as voted by the NWSL Media Association.
The Bridgeport, Conn. native earns the accolade following a 12-save performance versus the North Carolina Courage on Sunday, May 6th. The Courage kept Naeher on her toes with 42 shots and 15 attempts on target. Naeher’s performance also earned her Save of the Week.
The U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper has been honored as NWSL Player of the Week on three other occasions. Her past recognitions were in Week 5 (2016), Week 17 (2015) and Week 18 (2014).
On Sunday, the Red Stars held a 1-0 advantage entering the final ten minutes of regulation. Forward Sam Kerr tallied her first goal of the season in the 37th minute. Naeher came up big for her club time and time again, making notable stops on Courage midfielder McCall Zerboni in the 17th minute and then on two different Crystal Dunn chances in the 49th and 66th minute.
Despite her strong performance in goal, an 82nd-minute strike by North Carolina’s Zerboni from just outside the six-yard box leveled the match at 1-1.
Naeher finished the game with a team-high 74 touches as well as three clearances, according to Opta.
The Red Stars went 0-1-1 in Week 6 with Naeher recording four saves in a loss to the Orlando Pride on Wednesday, May 2nd. Naeher notched 16 saves in the Red Stars’ two games during Week 6.
Naeher has 27 saves during the 2018 campaign for the league’s second-best. In eight matches played, she has recorded two shutouts. Chicago is currently third in the league (2-2-4) with 10 points.
Naeher and the Red Stars will host the Houston Dash on Saturday, May 12th.
Photo Credit: ISI Photos
