United States women’s national team defender Naomi Girma is cementing herself as the top center back in the world during the 2024 Summer Olympics. Her head coach Emma Hayes agrees as the 24-year-old has played every minute of the campaign so far.
Girma has led a stout USWNT defense to the gold medal match only conceding two goals in the process. Throughout the tournament Girma has had different center back pairings due to a Tierna Davidson injury.
It’s become clear that it doesn’t matter who lines up with Girma, she’s still going to dominate. In the semifinal vs. Germany, Davidson started the first half and was replaced with Emily Sonnett at half.
Girma put together a highlight reel worthy performance against the Germans.
Naomi Girma vs Germany
Naomi Girma vs Germany @naomi_girma pic.twitter.com/etUsqMEIXO
— Laura Veen Comps Specialist (@veencomps) August 7, 2024
“She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen. Ever,” Hayes said after the semifinal. “I’ve never seen a player as good as her in the back.”
Her teammates echoed their head coach’s thoughts with Sophia Smith, who scored the game-winner against Germany, saying Girma is the reason the team made it to the final.
"She's the best defender in the world. No one can get past her. She's the glue to our team. She really locks it down. And I know that everyone on the field feels so confident that whenever the ball is in and around the box, we're going to get it out because we have Naomi back there,” Smith said.
When Lindsey Horan was substituted at the start of extra time vs. Germany the captain's armband was passed to Girma. What a player and what a leader.
While Girma’s defense is unstoppable, she also plays a role in springing attacks for the USWNT. Her ability to put a ball over the top to the forwards is elite as she can do no wrong.
Girma also conducts the team in possession with her passing stats being ridiculous. She’s completed over 100 passes in each of the USWNT’s games and had 200 successful passes against Japan in the quarterfinal.
The USWNT will likely call upon her plenty of times against high-flying Brazil in the gold medal game on Saturday.
