PARIS — Last summer, Naomi Girma introduced herself to the world at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In contrast to the U.S. stumbling in the round of 16, Girma’s first major tournament with the senior national team showed that she wasn’t just the future of the program, she had already cemented herself as one of the team’s most crucial and most trusted players — even after only making her professional debut in 2022.
They’re famously not too fond of monarchs here in France, but the Paris Olympics have served as Girma’s coronation as one of the best defenders in the world. The 24-year-old has played every minute of all five USWNT wins so far, providing a steady defensive presence for the team. She was the only field player to play every minute of last summer’s World Cup, too.
“She’s the best defender I’ve ever seen,” head coach Emma Hayes said after the shutout semifinal victory against Germany. “Ever.”
For Hayes, Girma is a complete defender: “She’s got everything: poise, composure, she defends, she anticipates, she leads.”
U.S. forward Sophia Smith agreed earlier this week, calling her former former Stanford teammate “the best defender in the world”. Smith said the team always knows that Girma’s behind them, ready…
