With Naeher retiring from international soccer, the USWNT have seven goalkeepers on senior and Futures rosters for January camp
When Emma Hayes took the job as U.S. women's national team coach, she had fewer than 80 days to prepare a team for the Paris Olympics. Now, without a major tournament in two years to plan for, it would seem that Hayes has some time to experiment explore options with her team.
But when you're bringing in a new wave of players, rebooting the youth national team system, working to activate conventions and education, all while simultaneously holding the title as the No. 1 team in the world, there's hardly time.
Hayes spoke to reporters following the January camp roster announcement this week, and the hottest ticket item was clear: who will take on the starting keeper role.
On Nov. 25, 2024, Naeher, one of the greatest goalkeepers of all-time, announced her retirement from international soccer. What was already a difficult year for USWNT fans in terms of legends leaving – including the retirements of Kelley O'Hara and Alex Morgan – took yet another turn. Naeher, who went out in style against the Netherlands in December, left the USWNT as the only keeper in women’s soccer history to earn a shutout in a World Cup Final and an Olympic gold medal game.
Hayes has spoken about Naeher's impact and talent, but has a plan in place to determine the next American keeper. She said that she'd "like to see at least three others to be in a position to say, 'OK, where are we in that group of six?' "
INDIVISA looks at the seven prospects on Hayes' radar ahead of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.
ImagnAngelina Anderson, Angel City FC
Angelina Anderson was named to Hayes' January camp roster after a two-year professional stint at Angel City FC. Anderson was selected by Angel City in the 2023 NWSL Draft. Before her time in the NWSL, she was vital to the success of Cal Berkeley, earning second place on Cal's all-time shutout list, with 26 total.
While this is Anderson's first senior team camp call up, she's had much success at the youth national team level, earning the starting spot and captain duty for the Under-17 USYNT at the 2018 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup. She's also represented the Under-20 roster for the U20 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Anderson has the ability to play off of her line very well, and despite only playing five games in the NWSL, has great vision and instinct. Anderson was one of the six uncapped players named to the January camp roster.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesJordan Brown, Georgia
Jordan Brown was named to Hayes' Future camp roster on Wednesday, and this her first call-up at any international level. Brown, now a junior at Georgia, was brought into the mix for the Bulldogs in 2022 and in a starting role towards the end of the season, led them to a seven-match unbeaten streak, and had five shutouts.
Brown joins a roster of two other keepers for the Futures camp. Brown has been the starting keeper since she took the field in 2022. She's a natural shot-stopper and isn't afraid to come off her line or contest a scramble in the box.
ImagnClaudia Dickey, Seattle Reign FC
Claudia Dickey was drafted 20th overall by OL Reign in the 2022 NWSL Draft and earned her first call up to the USWNT for the January camp. One of Dickey's strength is her ability to show up when called, a job that was essential in being Phallon Tullis-Joyce's backup in 2022, the year Reign won the NWSL Shield.
The position of backup isn't discussed enough, but without that player pushing the number one keeper, there is no success. Dickey played for the Tar Heels and by her sophomore year had earned the starting spot. Despite making an insane six saves against Stanford in the 2019 National title game, the Tar Heels lost on penalties. Dickey, like Anderson, has experience on the Under-20's, but now is making her first senior team camp.
ImagnMia Justus, Utah Royals FC
Mia Justus joined Utah Royals FC after a successful career leading the Texas to back-to-back conference titles. In 2024, she set the program's single season clean sheet record and collected 102 saves.
Justus represented the Under-20 USYNT at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in Costa Rica and has played in the youth national team system since Under-16 days. She newly signed with Utah Royals, and her contract is through 2027.
