Why Alyssa Naeher Almost Walked Away From Soccer

Two-time World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist Alyssa Naeher joins the party and she’s bringing one of the best stories we’ve heard all season. At a moment when she was seriously considering retirement, a chance encounter with tennis legend Billie Jean King delivered a message that changed everything: “You’re not done yet.” Naeher opens up to Julie Foudy and Abby Wambach about that surreal moment, what kept her in the game, and how she’s navigating her 14th season in the NWSL as one of the league’s last original players. They also talk about the mindset of elite goalkeepers, the importance of leadership inside a locker room, and why the smallest gestures from teammates can shape an entire career. Plus, Julie and Abby break down the upcoming 2026 NWSL season, expansion teams, and the return of the league’s most electric stars. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to stay at the top of the game for more than a decade this episode is it.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — [email protected]    Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Join us and CARE this International Women’s Day and Women’s History month to help level the playing field for women. Sign the pledge at ⁠care.org/pledge -Explore the new Peloton Cross Training Tread+ at onepeloton.com https://www.onepeloton.com/ -If you're ready to break the wash-grease-repeat cycle, head to https://hairstory.com/welcometotheparty and use code PARTY15 at checkout for 15% off your first order. - You can also request a Cologuard prescription today at Cologuard.com