GK Naeher Re-joins Breakers

The Breakers re-signed goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher after she spent the past two seasons abroad. (Photo: Chris Aduama/aduama.com)

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has re-signed with the Boston Breakers after two years with FFC Potsdam Turbine of the German women’s league. The Stratford, Conn. native will be added to Boston’s roster once the NWSL approves the transactions and her international transfer certificate in received.

“We’re excited having Alyssa joining the team. Obviously we know her well, having coached her here before,” Boston Breakers Head Coach Lisa Cole said in team release. “She got a lot of experience in Germany. We’re glad to have her back.”

A rising star among American goalkeepers, Naeher’s stint in Germany gave her experience and the European level and made her a favorite to earn a call to the US national team. She has already been in the national team program, earning a call in December 2009 under former coach Pia Sundhage and participating in the 2011 Algarve Cup. Naeher, 25, also helped the U.S. win the 2008 U-20 World Cup, earning the Golden Glove in the event for posting five wins in the tournament.

Naeher brings that experience and more to Boston, who were switching between Ashley Phillips and Cecilia Santiago for the starting spot between the pipes.

After a sterling college career with Penn State, Naeher was picked up by the Breakers in the 2010 draft and posted a 9-4-2 record with a 1.17 goals against average. The following season, she led Women’s Professional Soccer in saves (99), kept five cleansheets, and finished the season with a 1.33 goals against average. Naeher went on loan to Potsdam, but a combination of her success with the team and the folding of WPS resulted in her staying in Germany.

She became an immediate starter for Potsdam and had a 6-3-1 Champions League record in her first season. Naeher was just as important to Potsdam this year, clinching a 16-4-1 record with 10 shutouts to help the team qualify again for Champions League and finish second in the German Frauen Bundesliga.

“I’m really excited to be back in Boston,” Naeher said in a team release. “I enjoyed my time and the experience in Germany, but I am happy to have the opportunity to be able to play in Boston again.”

Naeher will likely take over as starting goalkeeper for the Breakers, though she will likely be unable to play this weekend at Sky Blue FC.