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Bridgeport Native Advances To Round Of 16 In FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Bridgeport native Alyssa Naeher and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team have advanced to the Round of 16 after winning Group D in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is taking place in Canada.

Alyssa Naeher is a goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team.

Alyssa Naeher is a goalkeeper for the U.S. women's soccer team.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Naeher, 27, is a member of the 23-woman roster as a goalkeeper for the U.S.

The U.S. team will play its next match on Monday, June 22, at 8 p.m. in Edmonton.

“This is just another example of a Bridgeport native making a name for herself in the career of her choice,” says Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch. “We’re proud of Alyssa and her accomplishments, and look forward to seeing her continued success.”

Naeher was born in Bridgeport on April 20, 1988, along with her twin sister, Amanda.

After winning the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, things only got better for the professional goalkeeper. Since then, Naeher has built an astounding record in her professional athletic career by starting for the Boston Breakers Soccer Club, making a record breaking number of saves in the National Women’s Soccer League, and winning the 2014 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Naeher attended Christian Heritage School, where she was a standout player in soccer. She was a three-time All-State and three-time FAA All-Conference selection. In addition, she was a Parade All-American and two-time NSCAA Youth All-American. 

As the starting goalkeeper for the Penn State women's soccer team from 2006–09, Naeher started all the games that she played in during her career there.

Naeher was selected by the Boston Breakers as the 11th overall pick (first round) in the 2010 Women's Professional Soccer draft. 

In 2008, Naeher was the starting goalkeeper for the U-20 squad that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile, starting and playing in all but one game during the tournament. She gave up only one goal throughout the competition -- to North Korea, during the dying minutes of the final game. 

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