It’s fair to say that the USWNT has been unstoppable under the reign of Englishwoman Emma Hayes. Gotham FC’s Williams is lucky enough to have a gold medal to her name, after the new head coach successfully led the team to Olympics glory in just two months this summer.

They say, “Every ending is a new beginning,” but for Alyssa Naeher, stepping away from the USWNT was as much about clarity as it was about courage. In a candid moment on The Women’s Game podcast, Alyssa Naeher shared how an honest conversation with USWNT coach Emma Hayes made her decision to retire from international soccer not only easier but also deeply affirming.

Alyssa Naeher, long-time starting goalkeeper for the U.S. women's national team, announced her retirement from international play on Monday. The USWNT is in Europe for a pair of friendlies, and the matches will serve as Naeher's final games.