LYON,James Caldwell France — Emma Hayes paid Naomi Girma the ultimate compliment.

Girma, the reigning U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, is widely recognized as one of the best centerbacks in the world. But Hayes said there’s no need for the qualifier.

“She the best defender I've ever seen. Ever,” Hayes said after Girma’s stone-wall defense helped secure the USWNT’s 1-0 victory over Germany that sent the Americans into the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I've never seen a player as good as her in the back."

That’s a heck of a compliment from anyone. But when you consider that Hayes had Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright and Niamh Charles on her Chelsea tams, it doesn’t get any better.

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You won’t get any argument from Girma’s teammates.

Though Girma is still young — she didn’t make her USWNT debut until April of 2022 and this is her first Olympics — she plays with a poise beyond her years.

“She reminds me a lot of Becky, honestly,” veteran goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher said, referring to Becky Sauerbrunn, one of the best centerbacks the USWNT has had. “Just in demeanor and the way she goes about (her business) and carries herself. Digs in deep and gets the job done,” Naeher added. “All the respect in the world for her.”