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BFFR with Sydney Leroux & Ali Riley
Alyssa Naeher on USWNT Retirement, World Cup Pressure, Penalty Shootouts & Her First NWSL Goal
00:56:02
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- [00:00]
A
And then they told me I was winning an award. They were like, ali has. He's got this box. You're being honored with, like, a lifetime achievement award now. I was, like, getting kind of embarrassed. I was like, oh, my gosh. Lifetime achievement. This sounds. This sounds serious. They, like, hand me this wooden box and I open it and there's like three or four perfectly placed and like, Tetris Smirnoff ice bottles. And I like. It took me a second, if I'm being honest. I was like, did you just ice me?
- [00:33]
B
Hello?
- [00:36]
A
What?
- [00:43]
B
What's up, everyone? Happy holidays and welcome to another episode of BFFR. Make sure you're following @BFFR. Show on all socials and hit that subscribe button on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts. Before we jump in, this is our last guest episode of the season. Don't worry, there will be an episode next week, but this is our last guest. So who gets the honors? An absolute legend. Two time Women's World cup champion, an Olympic gold medalist, one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever put on the U.S. women's National Team jersey. She's third all time in appearances, wins and shutouts. She was the 2024 U.S. soccer Player of the Year. She also won goal of the Week in this NWSL season. I'm sure you remember that. Welcome, Alyssa. Nairobi.
- [01:49]
A
Alyssa, we finally got it.
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B
We did it. Welcome to bffr.
- [01:54]
A
We found a time.
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B
We found a time. Thank you so much. I've been so excited for this for multiple reasons, but I was actually nervous you would change your mind after the prank I pulled over championship weekend.
- [02:12]
A
Oh, gosh. I haven't even heard of anybody icing anything since we did it to Tiernan on her 21st birthday.
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B
I definitely haven't iced anyone since college, but it gave me quite a thrill. I might bring it back.
- [02:24]
A
Yeah, honestly, I think we should bring icing back. Maybe it should be like the new thing we do to rookies. It's like, yes, fun. You know, it's like, not really hazing, but it's like, welcome to the league. You know, it's like, it's easy.
- [02:36]
B
It was definitely a part of our.
- [02:41]
Growth as humans and players, I would say, in our college eras. So why not keep it going?
- [02:47]
A
I forgot how gross they are, though. If I'm being honest, I cannot say that it went down smoothly.
- [02:52]
B
Yeah, this is. This is probably not going to be a good advertisement for Smirnoff Ice. However, I keep thinking about the weekend, and whenever I saw Alyssa, she pulled the middle finger at me Friday, from Friday night through Saturday, the whole day after, before the game, after the game. And I felt like if that had been recorded, it would be one of those videos where it's like, you're just flipping me off everywhere, and it's like you're probably wondering how I got here. And then it's like. And it shows me icing you hours.
- [03:23]
A
Prior and see what happened.
- [03:25]
B
Yes. Maybe you can. You can share what happened on that fateful red carpet.
- [03:30]
A
Fateful red carpet. So the issue was, I don't like going on red carpets, so I thought I was being sly. And I, like, skirted around. Like, I said, a quick high, and then I, like, skirted around all the cameras, like, went right inside. Like, red carpets aren't really my thing. And then I don't know who came in. Somebody came in to get me, and they were like, hey, Alyssa. Like, can you please, please come back outside, Allie? Like, she really needs to talk to you. Like, she's been waiting for you all night.
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B
Like, I didn't even know this part.
- [04:03]
A
Yeah, no, she. She was like, she has. She has something to give you. Like, she really needs to see you. So, like, I'm so sorry to do this, but, like, you got to come back outside. And I was like, oh, okay. Like, I don't want to take any picture. Like, whatever. And I was like, you know what? We kind of did ally dirty in Chicago. Like, we messed up the retirement thing. We, like, got it wrong. We botched the ceremony. Like, the anthem started playing prematurely. Like, as you're standing there, like, our owner and president are like, what's going on? They felt horrible. I was like, you know what? This is. The least I can do is, like, go back out and, like, give Allie her flower, her retirement this and that. And then they told me I was winning an award. They were like, ali has. He's got this box. You're being honored with, like, a lifetime achievement award. And I was like. I was like. Now I was, like, getting kind of embarrassed. I was like, oh, my gosh. Lifetime achievement. This sounds serious. They, like, hand me this wooden box, and I open it, and there's, like, three or four perfectly placed and, like, Tetris Smirnoff ice bottles. And I, like, it took me a second, if I'm being honest. I was like. And then I just remember, like, I looked up at you, and I go, did you just ice me?
- [05:18]
Oh, my God, it was so funny. And then, you know, I had to. I had to play along. I had to do it. I Had to do it.
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B
You took it like a champ. I was. I was very impressed. So I didn't know any of that backstory until right now. I was. When we were coming up with this joke. So this is Duda's fault, because Duda, who we had on two episodes ago, Duda, when I interviewed her on the red carpet for the Just Women's Sports party a year ago at the championship weekend in Kansas City, she pulled out Fireball. So on the spot. Then we were doing Fireball. So I was thinking, how can I get her back? But it has to be kind of a surprise. And so we thought about icing. So we were thinking of who would be really cool people to ice. And your name was brought up immediately, like, she's super fun. She's going to be so into it, and she'll definitely do it. And as this is going on, I'm like, oh, my gosh, what have I gotten myself into? And then your reaction was so perfect, and you actually did it. But then I did get the middle finger. For the rest of the weekend, I will.
- [06:23]
A
Good prank. But you're gonna hear about it.
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B
I will add that I felt so guilty, and I felt like I had to redeem myself and, you know, just women's sports. So I told you, inside the party, don't leave. There's a spectacular surprise musical guest coming. And I was like, I think, you know, we're. I'm a year older than you, but we're similar in age. I'm like, I'm pretty sure this is, like, a millennial's dream. And you were. You were, like, getting excited about it for the next 60 minutes. I was sweating, thinking, okay, now I've made her drink a Smirnoff ice. I actually have no idea if Kesha will be someone that impresses a listener, but run the tape. We do have video of your reaction here.
- [07:10]
A
Oh.
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It, like, instantly brought me back to college. That was the thing. It was, like, instant transformation. Like, back to, like, 2006.
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B
Exactly. So it was. It was, like, a good consolation, right?
- [07:29]
A
It was great. Yeah. It was fantastic.
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B
What. What was your favorite part of the NWSL championship weekend? I thought it was such a huge success.
- [07:39]
A
Yeah, I thought the Bay did a great job. It was. It's been really cool, I think, to see how it's really evolved and grown over the years to get that many.
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I mean, let's be honest. Like, it kind of sucks for all of us that, like, would want to be playing in that game, but it's like, it's kind of like we're making lemonade out of lemons over there. But I think to be able to kind of. What I. The reason I even, like, went out there also is, like, I got convinced by Kristen and Tobin because I had seen them when we played Angel City, and they were like, you got to come out. Like, it's gonna be. Like, it's gonna be fun. Like, we're really trying to make it. Obviously, a lot of current players are there, and they go through different. Like, whether it's a skills challenge or different sponsorship opportunities or whatnot. But, like, Kristen told me, like, we're trying to make this, like, almost like an alumni event as well, of, like, so many former players that it's like a reunion of sorts, where, yeah, you kind of come back in and you see people you haven't seen for a really long time. And a lot of the retired players have podcasts now and. Or even current. Honestly, it's like, podcast weekend for everybody. It is. Which. Which is cool as well. So, like, everybody enjoys doing it. Kind of just bounce around from show to show. But I think just, you know, the Bay put on a great weekend for everybody to be able to celebrate, you know, within the PA The PA does a lot of work throughout the year, and to just get a lot of players together to celebrate a year. And obviously, a lot goes into any season, you know, the good, the bad, the ugly, all the highs and lows, and just to be able to, I think, have that camaraderie around the league as well. Of, yeah, we compete, we go hard. You know, we fight, you know, week in and week out, we all want to be in that championship game. But I think what you see just, like, the culture of the league, the. The people within the league, there's just, like, such a mutual respect for everybody in it. And I think to be able to have those moments to, you know, have everyone come together, whether it's current players, teammates, players that you played with that now play for other teams that you don't get to see on a regular basis.
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B
Yeah, exactly.
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A
Like, a lot of alumni coming back in and even some of the older alumni coming back into it and doing that kind of stuff. I think it's just really. It's cool that, you know, so many people want to be a part of it.
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B
It is such a community, and that culture of community.
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Was so strong at the championship weekend, like, you're mentioning, and it's something that I definitely felt gave me kind of hope, and it. It brought me a lot of comfort. Especially having just retired. And, you know, I'm looking at this huge abyss in the next chapter and realizing that we're all still in it together and supporting each other and. And not just us as retired players, but the. The players who came before us, generations before us. And then we still have these relationships with the players who do.
- [10:51]
A
I.
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B
It is. It is a funny one, because I think when you're a current player, you're like, I'm only going to go to this if, like, my friend really asked me to or if I'm getting paid, because it sucks. It sucks.
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Yes, exactly. Exactly.
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A
I found it so funny, too, because, like, even throughout the weekend, it's like, one of those awkward things. Like, especially those of us who have been in the league a long time, you feel like you know each other, but you've never, like, actually met. So then there's always this, like, awkward thing at the beginning. Like, do you say, like, hi, my name's Alyssa. Hi, my name's. Yeah. Yeah. We're, like, officially. Officially, but, like, through the last 15 years, or, like, 5, 10, 15. It's like you play against everybody. You see people on a regular basis. It's like, I know you. I know you know me. Like, are we gonna do this introduction thing, or are we just gonna, like, act like we're old friends and move on with our lives?
- [11:46]
B
Oh, my gosh, you're so right. Okay. Thinking about the. The carpet, how you said you kind of stay out of the spotlight. I think you're kind of known for that. But over this past year, with announcing your retirement, and you did get your flowers and a retirement celebration, you had your family there first. Have you always been kind of just. Obviously, you're very humble, but you take it to an extent where you're not trying to, you know, take any attention at all. So have you always been like that? And then off the back of that, how was that like, then when you did get a lot of attention, as you, of course, deserved, when you announced your retirement from the national team?
- [12:28]
A
Yes, I have always been this way. I think, growing up with a twin, I think there's very much like, we. We're very similar in a lot of ways. Like, sometimes I forget how much. Like, all of a sudden, then I see her talk and, like, we have the same mannerisms. We have the same. Like, I hear myself give an interview, and I'm like, oh, why is Amanda talking? Like, who is what? And it's like. But, you know, my voice sounds different in my head, so it, like. Yeah, it out loud. But I think then personality wise, we are like so polar, opposite sides of the spectrum. She is. She is the life of the party. She's the social butterfly. She's. And I certainly can get to that. You ask Lynn all this, like you. I can get to that point, but it takes a lot longer to get like, comfortable with people. But.
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I think, you know, I was also always grateful that she did have that personality because it was something that always came naturally for her. And it was more comfortable for me to be in the background, to be, you know, less noticeable. So it worked. And I think that's where like, even within the national team for so long, I was always grateful for like having such big personalities around because they end up taking on such a load in a different way that then allow me to be me. Allows me to have that ability to kind of sit back and not have to get thrust into things.
- [13:58]
So it's definitely always been a big part of my personality. But I will say to. To have the opportunity to celebrate a retirement with so many people was. I did fight it for a little bit. Didn't want to do it. I heard it gets so awkward in doing stuff and like it, you know, but it ended up being, you know, even when it was in the Netherlands last year, during the actual game, just the way the team treated me in that week while we were, you know, in London, in the Netherlands was. I think it's. It was really special for me to kind of get to. I think sometimes we get so caught up in our day to day and what we're doing that it was very special for me to hear that I've been able to have a positive impact on people around me. And I think that's what, you know, people will tell you all the time. Like, they don't. They won't remember for. They won't remember you for what you've done, like on a field in this world, but they'll remember how you treat them. They'll remember who you are as a person. And I think even, you know, in Connecticut, to have, you know, I had 12 of my Chicago teammates fly out for the weekend to celebrate, which was. We had an absolute blast. I had, you know, a hundred different family members at the game party afterwards, and I saw club teammates that I hadn't seen since I was, you know, 10 years old or in high school and everything else. So to be able to celebrate my career that so many people have been a part of with all of those people was. It was very overwhelming, for sure. It was really, really overwhelming, which I'm sure you can understand. Yes.
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But it was. I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to do it because it's something that I will. It was very special and I will remember it for forever.
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B
What has this past season been like without having the national team? That. Loading. And just that whole other life and world and part of your career that obviously has been a huge part of you for such a long time. It was something that I think anyone who's lucky enough to play for a national team, you kind of debate and you see it more and more like, can you retire from the National Team, continue to play professionally? I feel like when we were younger, the reason you played pro was to make the National Team, and it was so tied up. Whereas now we are celebrated as being professional athletes, finally. And you have women who have these amazing careers without having played or maybe played for a short time. Never got the chance play for a country where, yeah, they. They just don't get that opportunity or don't go to a World cup, whatever it is. So I'm curious. Obviously did it all in one go. I didn't have the chance to keep playing for the national team. So what has this last season been like for you, focusing on your professional career and Chicago?
- [17:01]
A
It was. It was definitely different. It was. I think the strangest part was, you know, for so long, it was.
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Was kind of like almost who you had to answer to. Like, not just like, after every game or after. Obviously you want to. And I've always cared very deeply about the league and Chicago and, like, wanting to do well for a club. Obviously, the national team is a huge goal. And you're always also airing for a World cup or an Olympics or you're trying to just honestly make the camp to camp roster. I think that's.
- [17:37]
Something that you're always just like, I gotta get called in the next camp. I gotta make the next camp. And you're waiting for that email. But it's. The hard part is you've got. You know, when you go into any sort of. Even if it's a slump or just one bad game, it's okay. That sucks. You know, I let my team down or that was hard for my team. You know, I'm gonna have to go back and watch film with. With my goalkeeper coaches or my, you know, coaches with our defenders and, like, sort out some problems. But then you also have to get a call from the national team that's like, hey, what's going on? Like, we saw, like, what's, like and you're like, so you. There's always, like, it counts twice. Yeah. And I think there's a lot of stress or added stress that comes with that, because whether. Even if the World cup is a year away, the goal is to make the next camp. Because unless camp you don't stay in much. Like, it's. It's sequential. Like, you don't. You can't just look to the World Cup. It's like. No. You gotta set the groundwork in each camp. So it's important to be keeping that in mind. But.
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I think that this was a unique challenge because there was so much also that was happening in Chicago this year in terms of changes. And we went through four coaches and a lot of changes within just organization and the team that.
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I didn't even really have that much extra, like, free time necessarily, because there was. There was just so much happening here in the city and within the organization that I think part of me is grateful that I wasn't with the national team in that time, able to give that much more of my time and energy and focus to trying to do what I could for the team here in a very, very challenging season.
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For the team. And it was. I think that ended up being probably a blessing in disguise as well, of being able to solely focus on what we were doing. And, I mean, this was not a normal year. This was not normal changes. This is not like, this was unchartered ground for myself in any part of my career. So to be able to. And just be physically present instead of being, you know, flying all over the place and just being able to be kind of, like, here on the ground and at least doing what I could to try to solve problems and write the ship and everything like that.
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B
What do you see when you think of the future with Chicago, with your professional career? How is your body? Are you. What are you looking ahead towards for 2026?
- [20:19]
A
It's always like. I feel like this time of, like, the last. The two weeks postseason, it always ends up being that, like, evaluation period. You kind of do, like, you send the car into the body shop and you're like, okay, get all out and, like, see where we're at. Can they.
- [20:33]
B
Can they give it back or are they, like, it's totaled?
- [20:36]
A
Exactly. You're like. You're getting the maintenance report back. But I think, yeah, that's. That's the. The. The point we're at right now. It's just, like, doing the full evaluation like I've done at the end of every season and taking the time to really, you know, how does the body feel? You know, if there's. There's always going to be some knocks that you end up with. You know, you go through a long season, nobody finishes the season 100% healthy. And then it's just getting those things taken care of. And how do you feel mentally, emotionally, physically, all of it. And what do you want to. What you feel like you can give going forward. And I think that's always the question of if you feel like you can still give 100% to what you're trying to do, then then keep going. If you don't think that you can, then it's not fair to yourself or the team to do that. So I think that's where we're at now. I think the club is.
- [21:32]
Moving in a positive direction. I think to have as. As hard as it was to get a fourth coach coming in at the. In August, I do think that it was beneficial to at least just for. And it wasn't even the official head coach, it was our future assistant coach. The head coach will obviously come in January with.
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B
Yep.
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A
Um, but at least getting him on the ground, seeing like firsthand where the different areas within the club or the team need to be addressed, like, to help like make immediate changes. And also just for players with, you know, whether it's free agents or even players under contract, like, it's important to take that as like it was. You got an eight week free evaluation period. Essentially.
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B
Yeah.
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A
See, do I fit in with what the direction of this coaching staff is looking for? Do I fit their system? Do I fit their style? Do they see value in what I bring to their style rather than everything new starting in January. And now all of a sudden you're like, ooh, this might be a really long year, I don't really fit it. And now you're kind of scrambling of things like that. So I think it was beneficial on both sides of players get a sense of what to expect in the future for the next year and the coaches get the opportunity to implement the groundwork and start to implement some systems and at least again, like see what holes they feel like they need to. To fit. Whether it's different positions or different players or personnel or coaches that you can add or staff members that you can add or just different things around a stadium that you think would be beneficial. I think having all of that. But I think it's moving in the right direction.
- [23:22]
B
What is it about this city or this club? Obviously it's not the coach because you've had a lot of those that. That keeps you in Chicago. I mean, you've had such an amazing, long career there, I guess. Well, Boston is now coming back. You had a stint in Boston. We can talk about that later. But really, of the existing clubs, you're like a legacy player.
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A
Yeah, that's your.
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B
It's your club. So what is it that keeps you. Keeps you in Chicago?
- [23:49]
A
I love the city. It's like. It's such a fun city. It's a great place to live. It's similar to Boston. It's a huge sports city, like, down the street on any given day. And you've got people wearing Cubs gear, people wearing Blackhawks gear. I mean, even flying. I flew in today, and everyone in the airport's got. You can tell who the locals are and who's, like, flying through o' Hare because all the locals have some sort of Chicago sports branding.
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B
That's so cool.
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A
And it's just like, there's a. The. And then the Bears are good again. So, like, everyone's, like, in. The Blackhawks are doing well. So everyone's like, the. You know, even though there's nine inches of snow on the ground, the vibes are high. It's. Oh, so that's really fun to be a part of. There's, you know, the food is incredible. There's. Anything you want to do, you can, like, step outside your door, like, whatever you're looking for, if you want to go to water, if you want to go get food, if you want to do whatever. It's like, there's so many different choices.
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And it's just a great place to live. But I think the. The biggest thing for me is, like, I've always. I've always loved, you know, the. The teams that we've been able to put together, the teammates that. To play with. And even though that has changed a lot since the first year that I was here, there was a good chunk of us that were here for, like, six to eight years.
- [25:12]
That kind of went through a lot together as a group and as a team. But even now, in these last four years, it's been.
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You know, it's just a. It's fun to go to the field every day and to be like, even again, as much as this year was a struggle for us, like, somehow we kept good vibes, we kept the energy high within, like, the locker room and the culture and everything. So the. The teammates that I've had the opportunity to play with and still have the opportunity have been, you know, I think the biggest Thing that has kept me, like, here in Chicago, it's just been like a really good, great group of people.
- [25:54]
B
Okay, well, let's, let's give Boston a little love here. How exciting is it that we're gonna see a team in Boston again? How do you feel about the expansion?
- [26:04]
A
I think it's great. I mean, Boston should have a team and you have, like, they're the epitome of a sports town usa. Yeah. When you think of Boston, you think sports. And to incorporate women's soccer into that culture and to bring it back, I think is incredible. And I'm excited to see, to give a new England team, like, get their team back. The fan base was always so passionate there. Yeah. And I mean, it was one of those teams that was there in the WUSA days. It was there in the WPS days there in nwsl. So, like, Boston needs to have. Yeah, Boston needs a team. So the fact that they're coming back is exciting. I think obviously expansion is always challenging. It's always, you know, you're building again from the ground up. So I'm sure they're going to have, you know, some growing pains along the way, but if they can, if they can really tap into that sports culture, that is Boston, that is New England, it's going to be an incredible organization, long term.
- [27:13]
B
Oh, absolutely. Okay, I want to. I want to share. Share some stats here. Okay. So you're a two times World cup champion, Olympic gold medalist. You were U.S. soccer player of the year in 2024. The first goalkeeper in U.S. women's National Team history to make three or more in a penalty kick shootout like this. This stuff is mind blowing to me. Also.
- [27:35]
A
I read this.
- [27:35]
B
So when, when you started the team's first group game for the World cup in 2019, it was the first time in over two decades, two decades that neither Hope Solo nor Brianna Scurry was in goal for the US At a World Cup. Like, I guess if you think back over the history of the U.S. women's National Team, like, that's not surprising. But when you think.
- [28:00]
Sentence like that was. When you stepped into that role, you had the opportunity to kind of be there for a short time or start your own era of American goalkeeper, which you did, I like to call it the Alyssa Nera, if you will. So thank you. When, when you were.
- [28:26]
Given, when you earned that position, did you feel the pressure of those greats that came before you? Were you confident? Obviously you had had a great career up to that point. But what it is such a unique position. That I obviously know nothing about. It feels like you play a different sport and that role because if you. If you get that spot, it is hard to pry it out of someone because it's so unique. It's not like, oh, we're gonna sub you out at the 75th. Oh, she did a great job coming in. So now she's gonna start. Like, this is just different.
- [29:02]
A
Yeah, I think for me, it. I definitely felt the weight of it. Like, I'd be lying to you if I didn't, like, admit that. Like, I. I certainly felt. I don't think up until. Up until the. Like, it was the media day that we had in New York before flying over to France. Up until that day, I think that was the first time I heard anyone say it out loud. Like, what you just said is like, in that. And I was like. Like, in your head. You know, it. Because. Right. But then I was like, oh. Because there was a couple different, like, qualifying tournaments that Hope had been injured for, that Barney played in, or different things, but it was never, like, the major tournaments.
- [29:43]
B
Right.
- [29:44]
A
And that was.
- [29:48]
Going into it. I mean, I'll never forget the way my knees were shaking walking out the. Walking out of the tunnel for the first game of, you know, against Thailand in. In 2019. But I. I definitely felt the weight of it, and I think almost more so.
- [30:07]
I think it came in in two different parts. I think I felt the. The pressure's not even the right word for it necessarily. I think the way, like, it. However else you would say that. But in 20, the end of 2016, after Hope was gone and kind of going into that 2017 year.
- [30:29]
You know, both Ash and I had been on the team at that point for a while. It was the two of us going in, and we. At that point, we knew the spot was open and it was going to competition. And I think that was.
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The hard part at the beginning, was not trying to focus on the competition of it and trying so hard in taking all of my energy to focus selfishly, like, only on myself and not worry about what Ash was doing, not worry about what AD was doing, not worry about, you know, what other goalkeepers were. Were in the mix. Because.
- [31:13]
The. The. It's almost like when you have a horse, like, you got to keep your blinders on, because the second just be like, oh, she did that really well. Now I have to do something really well, or like, oh, you made a mistake. Okay, I. I can breathe. I'm like, I. Now. Yeah, mistake. I think that's. That's where My mind was often at. So it was.
- [31:33]
I tried to, as best I could, make the decision, like, okay, do. In training, in games. It's as cliche as it sounds like, control only what you can control. Because, I mean, that's sports. You. That's all you actually can do. That's life.
- [31:50]
So I think even. And I. I will say that I. I am grateful to. I know that there's. There was obviously a lot going on in that time, but there were probably multiple times that Jill could have, you know, kind of pulled the plug on it and, you know, been like, you know what? She's. You know, I remember clearly the game we played against Brazil in the Tournament of Nations, and I think it was 2017 or 2018, and it was that crazy 43 game that we went. I was like, my career's done. I, you know, I basically threw the ball into the back of the net and we had this crazy comeback. But I was like, that's it. You know, there's. I. I made a mistake. That's. You know, I opened the door to. To somebody else. And where I am grateful for in remembering back and what I've tried to also now help and teach, not teach, necessarily, but relay to some of these goalkeepers now coming in is what I didn't realize in those moments that now I do is what I was able to do in kind of the five or six years when I wasn't playing, when I was one of the backups, when I was on the team. What I realized after the fact is what I did in those years, earning the respect and trust of my teammates allowed me to. Allowed them to have confidence in me when I did get on the field, did make a mistake when I did. Because we all make mistakes. Like, that's part of the game. That's all normal. And instead of, like, in my mind, the world was crumbling because I just made this horrible mistake. And what I learned is, like, in their minds, they're like, we've seen you. You make that save. We've seen you complete that pass. We've seen do that one, you know, 100,000 times. Yeah. So it was. They're like, we're good. We didn't lose confidence. We trust in you. And that kind of helped continue to be like, oh, like, we're good. Like, there's not that. You guys have my back. Yeah, was. That was huge going into 2019 for me was knowing. I heard all the pundits. I heard all the, you know, she's the weak link. She's the Biggest question mark, the US Is. This is the best team the US has ever had, blah, blah, blah. But, you know, we don't know about the goalkeeper. And this could be the Achilles heel. And I was like, I mean, it was. I've never turned my phone off airplane mode. The whole time I was in France. Like, it was like, I just went into. Just be with the team, be with, like, my family. I trusted myself. I had the confidence. Like, you always, like, gets a little shaky here and there. Like, nerves are a big part of it. But I always knew the second I got onto the field and I looked at the 10 people in front of me, I looked to the side. Like, you see your teammates? It's like, I'm good. Like, I. They've got me. They're like, I. All I have to do is my job. Like, that is what is asked of me. And that, like, remembering that and like, telling myself that over and over was what allowed the knees to stop shaking. Like, in those moments of, you've been here before, you've trained for this. You're ready for this.
- [35:01]
I've never prayed for more peace in my entire life. Throughout the whole tournament, it was just like, constantly.
- [35:08]
You know, and even family members and friends reaching out. Like, we're just praying for peace over you. We're just praying. This common thread. Like, nobody was ever like, yeah, we're praying for you to win. It was like, we're just praying peace over you. Just, like, just, you're good. And I felt it, and it was like, I felt like somebody who is just a naturally very anxious person. I felt very at peace throughout the whole tournament, which was, like, almost an eerie feeling. I was like, what is this peaceful. Peacefulness that has, like, come over? But I think it's.
- [35:43]
Yeah, I mean, it's. To be able to go into those tournaments and feel like that was. Was incredible.
- [35:50]
B
So the Alyssa NARA was built on prayers of peace.
- [35:54]
A
Yes. I love that 100%.
- [35:58]
B
Okay, well, I. I don't think of peace when I think of penalty shootouts. And this is my chance here, okay, to talk to the best of the best about penalty shootouts. What is going through your mind? First of all, do you love them or do you hate them? Like, is this, like, this is my time to shine? There's no pressure. Like, if I make one save, we can win. Like, the. The kickers, they need to. They need to score their goals. Like, what is going on?
- [36:26]
A
I think I embrace them. I don't think. I don't think that. I would say, like, I love, like, this is my time. Like, I definitely.
- [36:34]
But it's also like, it's not crippling. It's not like, oh my gosh, what are we gonna do? Like, yeah, I think it's a. All right, here we are. Like, we've prepared for this. Like, we've gone through all the training, we've done all the studying. This is part of the game. It's a cruel part of the game. It's a horrible way to lose. Um, it's just like. Yeah, it's just like brutal. But I think.
- [37:01]
I embrace them. It's, you know, it. The more that you can.
- [37:06]
Be in the moment with it. It's like kind of a blackout moment. It's like. And it's like you won't get like put into a trance a little bit. Like, it ends and you're like kind of snap back and like, we good? Did we win?
- [37:19]
B
You have looked entranced when I've watched.
- [37:20]
A
You in penalty shootouts, like as all the calculations are going on, like, like remembering everything that you're studying and learning.
- [37:28]
B
But well, so we saw in the Euros and obviously it's nothing new that there will be a water bottle or your goalkeeper coach has some kind of signal to remind you kind of when you see who the taker is, what their tendency is. Because that is a lot to remember is there is that when you are preparing for the chance of going to a penalty shootout or even a. An NWSL game if there is a penalty. How much have you memorized the tendencies of the most likely kickers on each team?
- [38:06]
A
I memorized everything. Um, I think for me that's what kind of. It was a. It was an exercise in. It was funny. People would look at me sometimes cuz I'd be like, at the breakfast table. I remember even like the morning of like the Netherlands game and the Olympics and I'm like, like my eyes are closed. I'm thinking. Everyone's like, what are you doing? And I was like, oh, the PK's in my head. Like. And I'm going back through all the videos and the, you know, playing percentages and all of that. And it's just there's in every goalkeeper, like you have your different styles. I mean, Nick Raimondo has written articles about. He was an incredible goalkeeper when it came to saving penalties. He's written articles about his style and what he sees and what he thinks.
- [38:52]
You know, even before 2019, the coaches were reaching out to, hey, Brad Gazan. Like, what do you do? Like, they're Studying Tim, how like, different. All different techniques of different things to look at. And then it comes down to, like, at the end of the day, I mean, some goalkeepers, it's like, if you've got a shootout, they'll always go the same direction and hope they can always. And that's where it becomes a little bit different. Like, if it's a shootout versus, like an individual right penalty is. I've had some. That in their brain, they go, okay, I'm going like, 2, 2, 2, 2. 1, 2, 2, 2. Like, oh, my gosh. It's like everybody has their different things.
- [39:28]
And it's like you study all of them and you play around with it kind of all year too, to see what works for you. And then it's like whatever you get comfortable with. And for me, it was. I still had like, you have like, your little forms and stuff. Obviously, the best kickers in the world, they can. You know, they. They do that too. They study us just as much as we part of the game. It's such a mind game at this point of it is he knows that I know that she knows that I'm going here. So do I go where she thinks that she knows I'm gonna go, or is it like. So there's. I mean, it's. You know, then it just comes down to the execution of it. But I always. I. I never wanted to have to have that, like, moment of panic of like, oh, my gosh, where's my. Where's my thing? Like, I need to look at it. Like, I forget. So I always would just, like, I try to memorize as all of it. That way I didn't have to. I could kind of like, lock into the moment because, like, all jokes as I, like, I did kind of get into a trance, like in this stuff, and I'm just like replaying in my mind all the different things. Like, I didn't want to have to break that to be going and worrying about, like, wait, what side is the. Is it on a towel? Is it on a bottle? Is it written on my arm? Like, I didn't want to have to. Like, to me, those were all external things that. Yeah, just rely on yourself with, like, internally there, you know, all of the. That's how I like to be able to do it. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. But hey, for you, it worked a lot.
- [41:02]
B
Let's. Let's be honest here. Okay, so tell me about the gku, because for anyone who doesn't know, this is a goalkeeper union, and it really it dawned on me a few years ago, probably when I was playing in this league, how there's just this camaraderie among goalkeepers, and it is a beautiful thing to see. It's also kind of annoying because it's like you don't actually play a game against each other in that way. Right. Like, you're so. You're. You're so far, you kind of know what each other is going through, especially when you see something like a penalty shootout, like, unless one of the keepers is going to take the kick, like, you're playing this different game. So do you really feel that? I see it not only with the players, but also the goalkeeper coaches. Like, there is just this bond and there's community within the community that a lot of us will never be a part of, and that is the gku.
- [41:59]
A
Yeah. My. My goalkeeper coach from when I was young, you know, he taught me that early on. He's like, you know, at the end of every game, the first person, you got to go find the opposing goalkeeper and just be the first person to shake their hand and just. It's. It is a unique position. It's something that it's. We're. We are not directly competing against each other, but we are in, obviously, in the winning and losing, and you're. You're playing for your team, but there's. Whether you are in. There's just such a mutual respect for what you're doing, I think, and understanding.
- [42:38]
Again, like, the gravity or the weight of what. It can be a very isolating position if. If you allow it to be. And it doesn't. Doesn't have to be, but just by nature of the position, you're alone back there, and there's so much training and preparation that goes into a game, and then sometimes it's all for one moment, which is. It's like. It's. Which is crazy. You don't get to be involved in, like, as much of the stuff, and it's just staying. I was reading something or listening to Tim Howard on a podcast recently, and he was talking about how he was. He's like, oh, I'd walk off the field, and I was exhausted. Just, like, wrecked. He's like, I wouldn't even have touched the ball for 90 minutes, but just, like, mentally staying engaged. Yeah. And just so I think that's the part that we can all relate to each other on and have that understanding. And, I mean, I'll catch myself even, you know, we're playing a league game or whatnot, and I think my. My Players in. I can see I've always had the perfect angle for like. And I'm like, oh, that was great. And then like, somebody makes like a great. I'm like, oh. Oh, damn, that was nice.
- [43:47]
Like, good save, good save, good save. And it's like, you gotta respect it when it happens because it's, you know, it's doing your job. Obviously I would've loved to score the goal for our team, but you kind of gotta give props where. When they're due. But. And even within training it's there. Only one person's gonna be on the field at the end of the day. But the whole week, everyone is training the same way. Everyone's an effort with a common goal of. You know, if I'm the one in goal that week, whether like with the national team or now here in Chicago as well, like, it's okay. What. What are we going to be facing with this opposing team? What are their threats when we play different teams, different forwards. And it's our job as goalkeepers to also be training partners. And what that looks like and being. Obviously, you're always. The interesting dynamic is you're always competing because everybody wants to be on the field. You want to have that opportunity to play. But there's also that recognition of like, okay, if it's not me, like, I still want to win. I need her.
- [44:52]
B
Yeah.
- [44:53]
A
For. And what can I do to help prepare her best to perform? And that's where even. It's oftentimes you see like the. The other goalkeepers that are on the bench always go running over to the goalkeeper. Yeah. Yeah. Halftime or just what not. And obviously every dynamic is a little bit different. Some are closer than others. Some it's very professional. Some there's, you know, a lot of talking tactics. What. Hey, what do you see? What can I do? Sometimes it's like, just leave it alone and. And have at it. But it's definitely a.
- [45:28]
GKU is strong.
- [45:29]
B
Okay, well, we can't ignore the fact that you did score a goal.
- [45:32]
A
I did. That was fun.
- [45:34]
B
It is legendary.
- [45:40]
A
When did you realize, like, like, I get the. I get the rush now it's fun.
- [45:46]
B
Like, what have I been doing? Okay, here we go. Here we go. I mean, this is just.
- [45:52]
A
Oh, out.
- [45:57]
B
I mean, the two hands up. You kind of. I don't. Wait, so are you. Did you not think it. You kind of run away.
- [46:04]
A
It was like. It was. It was total chaos. Truthfully. Like, can see that classic NWSL like up there. There's like everything that the whole play just like, sums up our season too. Just, like, utter chaos, but pure.
- [46:22]
Just doing whatever you can to try to, like, find success with it. You. So you've got Allie ends up on the ground. Bea is trying to help her up. Potsy runs into the post, so she's thing away. Like, you've got other people in the background going, just, like, not able to do anything. But Claudia made a great save on Julia's initial header. And now she's on the ground, the ball is bouncing.
- [46:45]
B
Good thing you didn't take a moment there to be like, ah, good. Good first save, girl.
- [46:51]
A
But I remember seeing it, like, bouncing around because it was like.
- [46:57]
It was just standing there and bodies hitting the floor around me. Kati runs into the post, Defenders are around, and it just kind of bounced. I thought it was already across the line, but I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna kick it for good measure.
- [47:10]
B
Okay.
- [47:12]
A
Was a part of me that was like, I don't want to steal someone's. But I thought I was like, you know what? I'm gonna make sure. Just like, let's be sure about this.
- [47:19]
B
Okay? So the first celebration is like, goal. Not like, it was my goal.
- [47:23]
A
Like, it's good, right? Like, I don't know that it's good. I'm like, look.
- [47:28]
I mean, it was Monday night, so it was like Monday night Football at that point. But that was like. But as soon as I kicked it, I heard the whistle blow. So he had inadvertently blown the whistle. You're like, you're not supposed to blow the whistle. I like, on goal, like, usually you don't blow the whistle. So the ball hits the. The ball hits the net. Like, we all see it hit the net. But then we hear. And Seattle's point, like, they think it's offside.
- [47:58]
B
They're trying anything.
- [47:59]
A
I do the same thing. I'm like, yes, ball hits. But we hear the whistle. Everyone's kind of on the ground. We didn't know, like, did a foul get called? Is somebody offside? Did. That's why I started running back, because.
- [48:14]
B
I thought they better get back in the goal.
- [48:18]
A
But then he wasn't moving. I see him starting to draw. I'm like, like, did we. Like, what is happening right now? And it was like, nobody knew what was going on. And then they, like, point to the center circle or whatever they point to that you score. And I still didn't know until after the game that it got credited to me. Cause the game. The game ended. Cause like I said, the ball was, like, hovering over the line, when I kicked it, like, I knew it was close. I just wanted to make sure. So the game ends and, like, the defenders turn and run back to me, and, like, they. There's, like, six of us that are, like, hugging back there. We were just glad at that point that we. We were down. We were down three, nothing. And it was, like, so to be able to come back. And I keep asking him, like, was it me? Did I get that? I was like, did I get credit for that? And we didn't know until we were in the huddle and our media guy came down and said that it was that. They, like, looked back on it on the film, and I got. I got the cold.
- [49:20]
B
What a spectacular story. Just added to the Alyssa Nara lore.
- [49:25]
A
It was so funny.
- [49:29]
B
Okay, well, I have to let you go. I could talk to you forever. I have so many questions, but we'll just have to get together another time. I can't let you go without asking you to be part of our Best Gift Ever segment presented by Macy's. So you can always drop your faves@macy's.com. when I think of you and your twin, I have always wondered, with twins, did your parents have to give you the same gift? Did you have the same taste? Like, you have to have the same value? Like, how did that work?
- [50:00]
A
It's a great question, especially with Christmas coming up. Thank you. It is. So the irony is, like, I'm 37 years old now. My younger sister's 33 tons of grandkids in this point. Like, my parents still to this day are like, okay, so, like, you guys might get some different things, but don't worry. It's all.
- [50:23]
We're like, you guys. We get it. Like.
- [50:27]
We'Re so sweet. But, like, literally this day, it's like, don't worry. Like, it might look a little bigger or this or that. Like, or they get three and you get one. But, like, the more, like, we love. Like, we love it. Like, we're. We. We're good. But it was always. We were definitely the open in a circle family. Like, one at a time. Like, that's. That was our thing. Mm. But it was always a. We didn't have to necessarily get the exact same thing. We often would get very. Especially when we were younger, we often would get very similar things, but maybe, like, a different color or things like that. Like, we always. We had all the same interests for the most part.
- [51:11]
But it was always. Then once we got a little bit older and we were, like, more specific or whatnot, would Change a little bit. I'll never forget getting older and being like, you know what I really need this year? Tires for my car. You know, that's when you know you've reached, like, that's adulthood. That's like, adulthood. You're like, yeah, I can get tires or, like, a gift card toward maybe just one tire. I'll then buy the other three.
- [51:43]
B
Yes, yes.
- [51:44]
A
But, yeah, we were. It was. We didn't always get the exact same thing, but my parents were always very gracious. They were very generous with us, and we. Everything all evened out as it was. But.
- [52:00]
Yeah, we got some good gifts growing up, and now we have fun giving gifts to each other, which is great.
- [52:06]
The nieces and nephews. That's more fun for me now on holidays.
- [52:11]
B
Oh, my gosh. Well, Alyssa, I'm. I'm sad my dad left because he announced at the dinner table that you're his favorite player on the US Women's National Team.
- [52:19]
A
I love that you.
- [52:20]
B
Now that you have departed, you've been replaced by our other favorite, Alyssa. Alyssa Thompson. But, yeah, he.
- [52:27]
A
He.
- [52:28]
B
I. He wanted to tell you, but I don't know where he went. So take. Take that for what you will. But, you know, John Riley, he can be a tough critic, and he just, you know, she's the best this country's ever seen.
- [52:40]
A
So very kind of him.
- [52:42]
B
I'm not sure the world is ready for, like, an Alyssa John Riley, like, collab. So maybe this is for the best that he disappeared.
- [52:49]
A
Yeah. Next time. Next time.
- [52:53]
B
Thank you so much. You actually are our last guest of the year, of the season, so thank you. It is an honor to have you have that role. I'm gonna keep dropping my Alyssa Nara, because I'm so proud of. And also my apologies again for the icing, but I think you and I maybe can keep that going for future generations.
- [53:13]
A
I agree. I agree.
- [53:16]
B
Thank you so much, Alyssa.
- [53:18]
A
Meow. It was fun.
- [53:22]
B
All right, that's it for this week's episode of bffr. Thank you so much to Alyssa for being our last guest of the season and for hanging with me. Don't forget to subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, anywhere. You listen to your podcasts and follow us at BFFRShow on all the socials. We will see you next Monday.