Consider this the official launch of the Casey Murphy for NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year campaign.
We already know she’s a world-class goalkeeper. She’s proven it both on the international stage and consistently in the NWSL since joining the league in 2019. But 2024 may be her best year yet as the by far league leader in prevented goals per 90 minutes.
She’s been especially good since returning with a Gold Medal from the Olympics. In the 16 games prior to the Paris Games, Murphy had an expected goals against of 19.02, but conceded just 17 goals with a 73.85% save percentage. In the nine matches since returning from France, Murphy’s expected goals against is 17.31, but she has conceded just 10 with a save percentage of 75.61%.
“The summer was exciting. It was my first Olympics, and I feel like I took a lot away from that experience. I was eager to get back and finish the season strong and make this our best year yet, but we’re far from done. We’re entering postseason, so it’s just about staying sharp and keeping the standards high until the end,” Murphy said.
For Courage goalkeeper coach Nathan Thackeray, consistency has been the secret to Murphy’s success and growth throughout this season.
“She’s been extremely consistent, even before the Olympics, she was hitting some good form and then post-Olympics she has been very good. The biggest thing for Casey, and what keeps her at such a high level, is how consistent she is. It’s never too high. It’s never too low. She very rarely makes mistakes or has errors that lead to goals. The biggest thing for me is she’s improved how consistent she’s been over the years, and this year she’s seeing the positive effects from it,” Thackeray told NCCourage.com.
Another constant for the Courage keeper has been the backline, which has remained largely unchanged over the last two seasons. Murphy said the group prides itself on being one of the best defenses in the league, leading to a competitive training environment and the defense becoming a ‘well-oiled machine’ over the last few seasons.
“It benefits the entire team. You look at the top teams throughout the world on the men’s and the women’s side, and very rarely do the center backs and the goalkeeper change. That is the most consistent thing. Their understanding of each other’s traits and their strengths and weaknesses is really important,” Thackeray said.
That stability has been a foundation of growth, with Thackeray crediting Murphy’s ability and willingness to learn and implement new concepts as another factor behind her high-level play.
“The biggest thing is that she’s listened to information and applied it to her game. We’re seeing a better influence from her in-possession actions. Out of possession, she’s always been very good at shot stopping or defending the space. There’s been a lot of growth in a lot of different areas, but the willingness to implement certain things into her game has been the biggest growth area,” Thackeray said.
The Courage’s entire goalkeeper group has been excellent in 2024. When Murphy was away for the Olympics, Marisa Bova stepped up as the penalty shootout hero for the Courage in multiple Summer Cup games. Thackeray says that intra-group competition is crucial to development.
“The group is so important for the daily environment and individual development. I don’t think there’s any surprises that Casey has come back from the Olympics and improved her performances. I think she’s obviously seen Mo come in and do really well in the Summer Cup, and have four really good, solid games.
I think Casey seeing that and going, ‘Okay, there is some competition here. I need to make sure I’m on my toes and performing every week at a certain level. Otherwise, Mo’s going to be right there.’ That helps the dynamic. Don’t get me wrong, they all love each other and respect each other, but there’s a competitive spirit in the training dynamic, which is awesome. It’s been a really good group,” Thackeray said.
Murphy wouldn’t want it any other way, but is always focused on bettering herself.
“Mo had a wonderful summer. I was so happy to see all the hard work she’s put in and see her just be a brick wall for the team. But with that said, I only compete against myself and, for me, it’s just making sure that I’m getting a little bit better each day,” Murphy said.
With the win or go home nature of the playoffs just around the corner, a good goalkeeper can make all the difference in those crucial moments and the Courage have one of the best.
While she focuses on being the best she can be for her team, NCCourage.com is happy to start the campaign for the individual honors she deserves.
