USA women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher has fully recovered from a right knee injury she sustained during the Tokyo Olympics and says she is back with a renewed appreciation for the sometimes ruthless sport.
The veteran player collided with a teammate while trying to block a passing pass early in the game 1-0 lost the semi-final with Canadaand trauma that leads to a protracted detox.
She told reporters from training camp in Austin, Texas.
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“So now it’s just starting to get back to speed. It’s been a long recovery. I’m excited to be back with the team, head down and back to work.”
Naeher was on the upswing after she made some thrilling saves in the quarterfinals that won first Netherlands but forced to watch from the sidelines when the team is defeated Australia in the bronze medal match.
She said the trauma taught her to appreciate the good times, which she now knows may be fleeting.
“This game can be a little cruel, to go from such a high to such a low level so quickly,” she said.
“So for me, it’s about not taking anything for granted. You never know when an injury will hit, so it’s about enjoying every part of it. Enjoying every training session. every meeting, every physical therapy session.”
She added that a group of swimmers took her under their wing to help her stay fit during her layoff after doctors told her to stay off the field.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has helped me over the past six months,” she said. “Those who helped me come back to me.”
