One of the most decorated careers in U.S. Soccer history will come to a close at the end of this NWSL season.
Ali Krieger announced Thursday that she will retire at the end of the year, bringing to an end a 17-year professional career in which the Virginia native won two World Cups with the U.S. women’s national team, made three NWSL Best XI lists, and became the first American to win UEFA’s biggest club tournament for women.
“I see the 2023 season as an opportunity to celebrate with our fans and my fellow players, but make no mistake – my entire focus is on winning the NWSL championship with Gotham FC,” said Krieger in a press release from NJ/NY Gotham FC.
“In a career filled with blessings, the NWSL title is one of the only trophies I still have yet to win. I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. I’ve always been inspired by winning, competing, and a desire to be the best, and this will be my last chance to win a championship. I’m determined to work with my teammates to make this final goal a reality. To achieve this before our incredible Gotham FC fans will motivate me every day this season.”
It’s about that time.. one last go! 🫶🏽🔥 pic.twitter.com/KNoiYSmd7p
— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) March 23, 2023
Standout career with USWNT
Following a standout four years with the Penn State Nittany Lions, Krieger’s pro career began abroad with 1.FFC Frankfurt. There, Krieger saw instant success, as Frankfurt won the 2007-08 Frauen-Bundesliga, the Frauen DFB–Pokal, and the UEFA Women’s Cup (the forerunner to today’s Champions League).
While injuries cost her some time with Frankfurt — and necessitated a loan to the Washington Freedom in the 2009 WPS season — Krieger would spent six seasons in Germany before requesting a release from her contract to return home and join the Washington Spirit.
Krieger’s NWSL career would be split fairly evenly between stints with three clubs: four seasons with the Spirit (where she captained the club for three years), five with Orlando, and two with Gotham FC.
With the USWNT, Krieger would pick up 108 caps and was a crucial factor in two World Cups, playing all but 10 minutes in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. The USWNT would go on to win the latter tournament, and Krieger was also part of the 2019 side that successfully defended that title, including an appearance in their 2-0 win over the Netherlands in that tournament’s final.
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