USWNT’s secret weapon is redefining women’s soccer

If USWNT needed a new face in 2024, then Naomi Girma has stepped up to the challenge with authority: a leader, exacting in her work, and now a defensive reference for the entire world, helping not only to bring glory to the USWNT but to add layering to the sport that was missing. At just 24 years old, Girma has starred on the field while playing a crucial role off it, proving her impact well exceeds the white lines.

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Talent, grit and maturity

When Emma Hayes, the renowned coach, said Naomi Girma is “the best defender I’ve ever seen,” it wasn’t an empty compliment. The defender’s flawless performances during the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal campaign spoke for themselves. Girma played every minute of six games with composure, focus, and leadership, helping the USWNT secure narrow but decisive 1-0 victories in the knockout rounds.

We gained confidence as the tournament went on," Girma told FIFA, who spoke of the team's evolution under Hayes' leadership. A rough 2023 full of disappointments was contrasted with the arrival of the coach, bringing an air and energy the group was desperate for. The San Diego Wave defender took to her role with aplomb, playing with the composure and surety of a player who'd been doing it for decades.

Beyond her defensive excellence, the year 2024 saw a lot of personal milestones: Girma captained USWNT for the first time and showed maturity in those pressure-filled moments. She even scored her first goals with the national team in a friendly against Argentina, filled with laughs and surprise from her teammates.

Girma raises the USWNT standard

Being a defender, particularly in women's soccer, is generally a thankless job. It's the goals and the assists that get all the attention. But Girma is writing a different script. She plays with poise, vision, and natural leadership rarely seen in players of her age.

That’s why she’s among the three defenders nominated for FIFA’s The Best Women’s Player Award, alongside Lucy Bronze and Ona Batlle. “We’ll hold down the backline strong!” joked Girma, showing the relaxed demeanor only great leaders can balance. She understands the weight of her position and, at the same time, values the unseen contributions defenders bring to a team.

Her impact hasn't stopped with the national team. For the San Diego Wave, Girma has been the rock in defense, proving her importance all season long.

A name that goes beyond the field

What sets Naomi Girma apart from other rising stars is her commitment to causes outside the game. She doesn't just play to win titles; she uses her platform to drive change. In 2024, Girma spearheaded the "Create the Space" program, an initiative focused on mental health for athletes and soccer professionals.

The project, supported by Common Goal, was born after the tragic loss of her close friend and former Stanford teammate, Katie Meyer, who died by suicide in 2022. Girma, fueled by personal heartache, committed to building a safe space where honest conversations about mental health would take center stage. The first event of the program, held in San Diego in early 2024, brought together NWSL players and youth coaches to share experiences and find solutions for creating a healthier culture in sports.

"After she passed, I felt compelled to do something that could have helped a younger Katie," Girma said.

Girma carries Katie's memory with her in every game. On her wrist, a band with her friend's initials serves as a quiet yet powerful reminder of her presence. "I feel like she's with me," Girma revealed. "I know she would've been freaking out in Paris, celebrating the gold with us."

The face of a bright future for the USWNT

For Naomi Girma, 2024 is only the beginning. While her achievements speak volumes, the promise of what's to come says even more. In a short period, the defender has become an example of excellence both on and off the field. Whether commanding the backline on the world's biggest stages or leading vital conversations about mental health, Girma embodies the present and future of U.S. women's soccer.

For the USWNT, the return to global dominance didn't happen by accident. It was the result of balancing youth with experience, raw talent with relentless hard work. Girma, with her calm demeanor and unshakeable determination, is the centerpiece of this new generation. Her nomination for The Best is just further proof of the impact she's made in 2024.

Naomi Girma's influence stretches way past goals, trophies, and awards-she's a natural leader, an inspiration to young athletes, and an extremely powerful voice within and beyond the confines of the game. And with women's soccer needing perhaps a new standard-bearer, it now has a defender who is ready to take the game to new heights.

Girma might not score goals every day, but her name is already etched into the sport's history. That wristband is a reminder that she doesn't play alone, and while carrying her friend's memory, she continues to leave an unforgettable mark on the soccer world.