JEFF JACOBS

Perseverance has paid off for Seymour’s Naeher

EAST HARTFORD — There was Hope.

And, now, there is Persevere.

For better and for worse, the U.S. women’s national soccer team has moved on from Hope Solo. Left behind are Solo’s periodic off-pitch behavioral problems and train wrecks in decorum. Left behind, too, is the explosive athleticism and record 202 starts, 190 victories, 102 shutouts. Left behind is the 2015 World Cup championship and two Olympic gold medals of America’s greatest goalkeeper, who turns 37 Monday.

As Seymour’s Alyssa Naeher made her way into Rentschler Field early Saturday evening for a final practice in advance of the USWNT’s match against Australia in the Tournament of Nations, there would be no explosive Solo quotes like calling Sweden “a bunch of cowards.” Or asserting a reason the U.S. men failed to get to the World Cup is because soccer in our country has become a “rich, white kid sport.”

Alyssa Naeher returns home for the first time as USWNT starting goalkeeper without drama. If we drew you a picture of a woman seated serenely, sipping a cup of morning

coffee, working on a crossword puzzle it would be a fine metaphor for the 30year-old. Except it’s not a metaphor. It’s real life.

“It’s just a nice little downtime activity,” said Naeher, who has crossword books or, more often, pulls them from the daily newspaper. “It’s a routine thing. We’re in hotels often, so it’s something that keeps me consistent.”

This weekend, of course, presents something different. Naeher was dressed but didn’t play when the USWNT crushed Colombia on April 6, 2016 at Rentschler Field. That was Solo’s shutout. Now, 11 months before the 2019 World Cup in France, this is Naeher’s job.

“It’s exciting to come home and play, born and raised in Connecticut,” Naeher said. “It’s a special place for me.”

After the Americans and Naeher defeated Japan, 4-2, Thursday in Game 1 of the tournament in Kansas City, Naeher settled into a coffee rendezvous with her parents John and Donna Lynn at the team hotel Saturday afternoon. They had gotten together a couple of weeks ago when her Chicago Red Stars were in New Jersey to face Sky Blue FC.

“It’s always good to see my parents, see my family,” Naeher said.

What’s great for Naeher’s extended family and friends from Connecticut is the chance to see her play. Yes, Naeher was on the

2015 World Cup champions. Yes, she went to Rio for the 2016 Olympics. Yet those were Solo’s games. Naeher emerged in 2017 as America’s starting goalkeeper at a relatively advanced stage in her career. This is her time.

“Alyssa is a keeper we’ve really invested, in terms of getting experience,” said coach Jill Ellis, committed to starting Naeher in all three Tournament of Nations games. “She has grown. When you have a player who hasn’t played a lot, to play against these good teams, you get a lot of questions answered. I think we have exposed her to that more and more.”

Basketball, soccer, Alyssa and her twin Amanda were terrific athletes at Christian Heritage School in Trumbull. Alyssa went on to star at Penn State and win the Golden Glove as the outstanding keeper in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2008. She was drafted in the first round by the Boston Breakers and was named Goalkeeper of the Year in the NWSL in 2014.

For dedicated women’s soccer fans, her story is familiar. If Naeher keeps her starting national team job, if she backstops Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT to World Cup glory, her story will belong to America.

As the national team backup, Alyssa Naeher has paid her dues. She has shown patience, resilience, endured. And in case she has ever any cause to forget or doubt it, the one tattoo on her side is there to forever remind her.

Persevere.

Family, perseverance, they mean everything to Alyssa Naeher.

“Every game is another opportunity to learn and continue to grow,” Naeher said. “Obviously, we’re going against three very talented teams in this tournament and to face three different styles is important for us to problem solve.”

Ashlyn Harris and Adrianna Franch are the other goalkeepers on the UWNT roster and Ellis has talked some about potentially using Franch on penalties. It’s still a long way to France and there are no guarantees.

“Alyssa’s distribution with her hands is phenomenal,” Ellis said. “Her feet have gotten much, much better. Her choices, her selection, her confidence on the ball, all those things have improved. She’s competitive in the air.

“Ultimately, what it comes to do with a goalkeeper is that decisionmaking piece. You can put a goalkeeper in there with 300 caps and the decisions can be spot-on or be off. Getting her the experience, I think she has warranted and deserved that.”

Stay consistent. Stay sharp. Naeher, who entered Sunday with a 5-0-1 USWNT record and 0.50 goals against, tells herself. Keep plugging away.

“Persevere, yes, it a family thing,” Naeher said. “My cousin was my little buddy. It’s the word, we as a family, have adopted.”

Naomi Tyrrell of Shelton, the daughter of Lorna and Leon Tyrrell, was 9-yearsold

when she died in July of 2012. Naomi had NiemannPick Disease, a genetic disorder that ravaged her organs. Alyssa loved Naomi fiercely, spent as much as time with her as possible. Lorna and Alyssa were the ones who came up with “persevere.” And when wrist bands were made for a fundraiser, of course, that would be the word on them. Alyssa would stuff a wrist band in her shoe or write the word on a piece of her apparel. Ultimately, she decided to wear “persevere” on her body forever.

“It’s something I still try to live by,” Naeher said. “I think it’s appropriate advice for everyday life. It keeps things in perspective. There are going to be high and lows. Keep your eyes forward. Keep fighting through everything.”

Hours after the U.S. won the World Cup in 2015, Naeher’s younger sister Abby gave birth to a son. Alyssa had a picture taken cradling the World Cup trophy in her arms. A few days later she had a picture taken cradling Judah in her arms. It was Twitter magic.

“He just turned 3, he’s down in North Carolina, I saw him last week,” Naeher said. “And I was just talking to [Naomi’s parents] this afternoon, we’re very close. [Lorna] is my cousin. I talk to them daily. That’s what is so great about coming home, seeing all the uncles, aunts, cousins. We are a very close family.”

And a persevering one.