2024 Chicago Red Stars in Review: The Goalkeepers

All three of the Chicago Red Stars goalkeepers featured at some point during the 2024 season, and all three showcased why they've had plenty of opportunities at the top levels of soccer.

Alyssa Naeher was once again a top performer in the NWSL while Mackenzie Wood and Sydney Schneider provided depth throughout Lorne Donaldson’s first season in charge of Chicago.

Here’s a look back at each keeper's 2024 season.

Alyssa Naeher

Naeher once again balanced her USWNT duties with her club soccer and brought hardware back to Chicago. Naeher won another SheBelieves Cup and a Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics while playing more than 2,000 minutes in the NWSL for the first time since 2014 with the Boston Breakers.

Naeher had one nagging injury in May that kept her out of Emma Hayes’ first USWNT camp but she was able to come back just in time for the match at Wrigley Field in June.

The all-world goalkeeper has already re-upped for 2025 and will look to continue to build up this team after a productive 2024.

Mackenzie Wood

Wood finally made her NWSL regular season debut when she relieved an injured Naeher against Utah on May 12 and started the next two regular-season matches. She also started NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup matches against Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit.

The former Northwestern and Notre Dame goalkeeper came back early from her loan in France to be Naeher’s primary backup and performed valiantly in that role. Wood is slated to serve as Naeher’s backup again in 2025 as those two are the only goalkeepers under contract for Chicago.

Sydney Schneider

Scheider made her club debut and lone appearance in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup when she made two saves against Chivas de Guadalajara on July 26, more than three years after she was selected in the 2021 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit.

Schneider was consistently involved with Jamaica’s squad during international windows and recorded a start against Brazil in June. Schneider will be an unrestricted free agent after Chicago declined her option for 2025.