SOCCER: Stars sign veteran GK Alyssa Naeher through 2026

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has signed a one-year contract to return to Chicago Stars FC for her 11th season in 2026. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“I feel like I still have more to give and want to be out there competing with my teammates and continue to push this organization forward,” said Naeher, 37. “We made a lot of positive strides to close out last season and I want to build on that.”

Naeher is widely recognized for her remarkable career with the United States women’s national team. A two-time Women’s World Cup champion, she also won an Olympic gold medal in Paris in 2024 and retired from international play at the end of that year. Over her international career, she earned 115 caps, started 112 matches, and recorded 69 clean sheets.

She is one of just three players—and the only goalkeeper—who competed in the inaugural season of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013 and remains active today.

In 2025, Naeher became the first NWSL goalkeeper to reach 200 starts and appearances with a single club, while also achieving 60 wins and 45 shutouts. With the Stars, she holds franchise records for the most regular-season starts and appearances (165), minutes played (14,821), saves (512), and clean sheets (46).

“Alyssa has had an immeasurably important impact on the Stars and our fans,” said General Manager Richard Feuz. “We look forward to her continuing to lead and set the standard for what it means to be a Chicago Star both on and off the pitch.”

Naeher joined the Stars in a trade with Boston before the 2016 season. During her time in Chicago, the team reached the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons from 2016 to 2022.

In the 2025 season, she made 23 appearances, recorded 75 saves, and played nearly 2,100 minutes. Notably, she also became just the third NWSL goalkeeper to score a goal, netting a dramatic 99th-minute equalizer in a 3-3 draw against the Seattle Reign on August 18. -Field Level Media/Reuters