Naeher retires as USWNT's 'greatest goalkeeper' - Hayes - ESPN

United States coach Emma Hayes said retiring veteran Alyssa Naeher leaves the team as the «the greatest goalkeeper» the country has produced after Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Netherlands.

«What I did say to her yesterday, in my opinion, she's the greatest goalkeeper this country's ever had, for lots of reasons,» Hayes said about the 36-year-old, who made six saves in her final USWNT match. «Most people don't really realize what it takes to stay at the top. For her to do it, for the number of years she's done it, wow.»

Naeher announced last week that the winter friendlies against England and the Netherlands would be the last of her national team career. The veteran, who will continue playing at club level for the Chicago Red Stars, earned a shutout in a 0-0 draw with England before emerging as one of the top performers in Tuesday's narrow victory against the Dutch.

«I'm going to miss the coffee dates, hanging around the team room, talking. I'm going to miss the competition, playing at the highest level,» Naeher told ESPN after the match. «Obviously, I'm not done done, I'm still playing NWSL. But to have played internationals and World Cups is something I'll miss, but I'll miss the people.»

Defender Emily Fox also praised the goalkeeper who has won two World Cups and an Olympic gold medal — and is the only goalie to have shutouts in both a World Cup and Olympic gold medal final.

«Big shout to her, we're going to miss her so much,» Fox said. «We're happy we managed to win. I think the first half was rough, but we reorganised, got control of it.»

The USWNT relied on Naeher to stay alive in their latest match in which they were outshot 14 to 1 during the first half. An equalizing own-goal from the Netherlands before half-time