USWNT in Olympics PK shootout? Naeher can both save and score - ESPN

Nothing in soccer can match the drama of a penalty shootout, and there are few individual moments more exhilarating than when a goalkeeper saves a shot during penalties.

U.S. women's national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher does it regularly. And, over the past year, she has also emerged as the USWNT's most reliable penalty-kick taker, scoring from the spot herself. It's a rare combination at the international level that could come in handy again on Saturday when the USWNT faces Japan in the Olympics quarterfinal.

On March 6, Naeher saved three penalty kicks against Canada in the semifinal of the Concacaf W Gold Cup. She also stepped up and buried the USWNT's fourth kick to help the Americans advance and, eventually, win the tournament. It was déjà vu 34 days later. Naeher saved three Canadian spot kicks and buried the USWNT's fifth to win the SheBelieves Cup.

«It's incredible, you guys. Is it not incredible?» interim USWNT coach Twila Kilgore said moments later as she struggled to come up with more sufficient words for the feat. «I mean, nerves of steel.»

Now, the USWNT heads into the knockout stage of the 2024 Olympics knowing that a penalty shootout might be needed as a means of advancement. Naeher's presence in goal gives the Americans confidence that they can advance against any team in that scenario.

Former USWNT goalkeeper and current TV commentator Jill Loyden has a simple word to describe Naeher's talents: «ice.»

Goalkeepers who also double as set-piece or penalty-kick specialists are rare. Brazilian men's goalkeeper Rogério Ceni is the most famous outlier, having scored over 100 goals for São Paulo in two decades at the club, almost entirely from free kicks and penalties. A goalkeeper striking a free kick or