Ali Krieger facts for kids
Krieger with the United States national team in 2014
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | July 28, 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dumfries, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Right back, center back | ||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–2003 | Prince William Sparklers | ||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | Northern Virginia Majestics | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | Washington Freedom | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2012 | 1. FFC Frankfurt | 69 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | → Washington Freedom (loan) | 10 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2016 | Washington Spirit | 62 | (3) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | → Tyresö FF (loan) | 7 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2021 | Orlando Pride | 83 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 36 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | United States U23 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2021 | United States | 108 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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Alexandra Blaire Krieger (born July 28, 1984) is a famous American former professional soccer player. She played as a defender, usually a right back or center back. Ali Krieger played over 100 games for the U.S. national team from 2008 to 2021. With the national team, she helped them win two FIFA Women's World Cup titles.
Krieger played college soccer for the Penn State Nittany Lions. She was recognized as a top player, earning "first-team All-American" honors. After college, she joined the German club 1. FFC Frankfurt. There, she helped her team win the league title, national cup, and the UEFA Women's Cup in her first season (2007–08). She was the only U.S. national team player at that time who played overseas. In 2013, she returned to the U.S. to play for the Washington Spirit in the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Later, she played for the Orlando Pride and NJ/NY Gotham FC. She was the captain of Gotham FC when they won the NWSL Championship in her final season in 2023. Ali Krieger was also named to the NWSL Best XI (a team of the best players) four times.
Ali Krieger first played for the senior U.S. national team in 2008. She played in three FIFA Women's World Cups. In 2011 in Germany, she played every minute and reached the final. In 2015 in Canada, she started every game. Her defense helped the U.S. team not allow any goals for a record 540 minutes, leading them to become champions. In 2019 in France, she played in three games as the U.S. team won the title again. In 2012, she had a serious knee injury. This meant she could not play in the 2012 Olympics. She later played in her only Olympic Games in 2016.
Contents
Early Life and Soccer Beginnings
Ali Krieger was born in Alexandria, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. She grew up in Dumfries, Virginia, with her older brother, Kyle. Her dad, Ken Krieger, played professional soccer and coached youth teams. Kyle was the reason Ali started playing soccer. She played for the Prince William Sparklers youth team for 12 years. Her father coached her for most of that time.
In high school, Ali played for Forest Park High School. She was team captain for three years. She helped her team have their first undefeated season. She was also named The Washington Post's Player of the Year in her senior year.
Playing College Soccer at Penn State (2003–2006)
Krieger went to Penn State University from 2003 to 2006. She played for the Nittany Lions women's soccer team. She studied advertising and public relations.
In 2003, Ali played in all 25 games for Penn State. She helped them win the Big Ten Conference regular season title. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She also set a Big Ten record with four assists in one game.
In 2004, she played in all 23 games. Penn State won the Big Ten Conference regular season again. Ali earned honors like NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team.
During her junior year in 2005, Ali played in 20 games and scored seven goals. Penn State was the top seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, Ali broke her leg just before the tournament. This injury needed surgery. A few months later, she developed blood clots that traveled to her lungs. This caused a pulmonary embolism and six mini-heart attacks. Doctors said she might not have woken up if she had gone to sleep that night. She fully recovered and returned for her senior year.
In her senior year (2006), Ali became team captain. She switched from midfield to defense. She played in all 19 games. Penn State won the Big Ten Conference regular season and the Big Ten Tournament. Ali was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. She was also Penn State's Most Valuable Player. She became the only Penn State player to be an All-American in two different positions.
Club Career Highlights
Early Club Years (2004–2007)
After her first year at Penn State, Krieger played exhibition games for the Washington Freedom. In 2005, she played for the Northern Virginia Majestics in the W-League. This league allowed college players to keep their eligibility. She later returned to the Washington Freedom for their first full W-League season in 2007.
Playing in Germany with FFC Frankfurt (2007–2012)
In August 2007, Ali Krieger signed with 1. FFC Frankfurt in Germany. This was the top women's soccer league there. In her first season (2007–08), she helped Frankfurt win three major titles:
- The Bundesliga (German league title)
- The Frauen DFB–Pokal (German national cup)
- The UEFA Women's Cup (a European club competition)
Ali Krieger was the first American player to win the UEFA Women's Cup.
In 2009, she had a foot injury. Frankfurt allowed her to play on loan for the Washington Freedom in the U.S. to recover. She played 10 games for the Freedom, helping them reach the playoffs.
After her loan, she returned to Frankfurt. She played with them until 2012. In January 2012, she suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the U.S. national team. This kept her off the field for the rest of the season. She recovered and played a few more games for Frankfurt in late 2012. In December 2012, she decided to leave Germany to play in the new National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the U.S.
Returning to the U.S. with Washington Spirit (2013–2016)
In January 2013, Ali Krieger was assigned to the Washington Spirit for the first NWSL season. She played her first game for the Spirit on April 14, 2013. She played 18 games and scored one goal that season.
In August 2013, after the NWSL season, Krieger joined Tyresö FF in Sweden for a short time. She played seven league games and four UEFA Women's Champions League games. She then returned to the Washington Spirit for the 2014 season.
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From 2014 to 2016, Krieger continued to play for the Washington Spirit. In 2014, she played all 22 regular season games, helping the Spirit reach the playoffs. In 2015, she had a concussion early in the season. She returned after the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. In 2016, she played 15 games and scored two goals. She helped the Spirit win their first semifinal game in club history. Ali Krieger was the captain of the Washington Spirit from 2014 to 2016.
Orlando Pride (2016–2021)
On November 2, 2016, Krieger was traded to the Orlando Pride. She joined her national teammates Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris there. In 2017, she started every game for the Pride. She helped them finish 3rd in the league and reach the playoffs for the first time. She was also named to the 2017 NWSL Best XI. In 2018, Ali Krieger played her 100th NWSL game.
NJ/NY Gotham FC (2022–2023)
On December 6, 2021, Krieger was traded to Gotham FC along with Ashlyn Harris. On November 11, 2023, Ali Krieger became an NWSL Champion with Gotham FC. She retired from playing soccer as a champion.
International Career with the U.S. National Team
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First Games and Return (2008–2010)
Ali Krieger was first called to the U.S. national team in January 2008. She made her first appearance on January 16, 2008, against Canada. She played all 90 minutes in the 4–0 win. She was later named an alternate for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
She returned to the national team in May 2010. She played in games against Germany and Sweden. She also helped the U.S. team qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
Krieger joined the national team for the Algarve Cup in Portugal in February 2011. She scored her first international goal against China on March 8, 2013. She helped the U.S. win the 2011 Algarve Cup title.
In May 2011, she was named to the team for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She started all six games of the World Cup. In the quarterfinals against Brazil, the game went to a penalty shootout. Krieger scored the fifth and final penalty kick to win the game. The U.S. team lost to Japan in the final. Ali Krieger was one of only four U.S. players to play every minute of the tournament. She was named the best right back in the World Cup by Fox Soccer.
Injury and Comeback (2012–2014)
In January 2012, Ali Krieger suffered a serious knee injury during a tournament. She tore ligaments in her right knee. This injury kept her from playing in the 2012 Summer Olympics. She worked hard to recover.
She returned to the national team in January 2013. She scored her first international goal against China in the 2013 Algarve Cup. She helped the U.S. win the Algarve Cup title.
In 2014, Krieger continued to play for the national team. She helped the U.S. win the 2014 CONCACAF Women's Championship. This win helped them qualify for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
2015 FIFA Women's World Cup
In April 2015, Ali Krieger was named to the team for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. She started all seven games of the tournament. She was a key part of the U.S. defense that allowed only three goals in seven games. They also had five shutouts in a row. On July 5, Ali Krieger became a World Cup Champion. The U.S. team defeated Japan 5–2 in the final. After their win, Krieger and her teammates went on a "Victory Tour" across the U.S.
2016 Summer Olympics
Krieger helped the U.S. team qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She made her Olympic debut on August 6, 2016, against France. She played all 90 minutes in the final group match against Colombia.
She finished 2016 with 17 appearances for the national team.
Later International Career (2017–2020)
In 2017, Krieger had limited appearances for the national team. After not being called up for 18 months, she returned to the team in April 2019. She played a full game against Belgium.
In May 2019, Ali Krieger was named to the team for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. This was her third World Cup appearance. She earned her 100th cap (game played) for the national team on May 16, 2019. She played in three games during the tournament. She came in during the final against the Netherlands, helping the U.S. win 2–0 and defend their World Cup title.
Krieger was also part of the U.S. team that won the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship. This secured their spot in the 2020 Olympics. She also played in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup.
On March 23, 2023, Ali Krieger announced that she would retire from soccer at the end of the 2023 NWSL season.
Outside of Professional Soccer
Helping Others
In 2014, Ali Krieger started working with MiracleFeet. This charity helps children with clubfoot in developing countries. She said it means a lot to her to help change a child's life.
She also works with Garth Brooks' Teammates For Kids Foundation. She spends time with children in different programs. In 2015, Krieger became an ambassador for Athlete Ally. This group works to create an accepting environment for athletes, both on and off the field.
Coaching and Endorsements
After the 2018 NWSL season, Krieger took coaching courses. She earned her U.S. Soccer "C" license. She is interested in coaching at a professional level in the future.
Ali Krieger has worked with several brands. She became a professional athlete with Nike in 2007. She has appeared in Nike fitness campaigns. After a concussion in 2015, she teamed up with Unequal, a company that makes protective sports gear. She also worked with ZICO and Smuckers for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Honors and Awards
After the U.S. team won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, Ali Krieger and her teammates were honored. They had a ticker tape parade in New York City. Each player received a key to the city. President Barack Obama also honored the team at the White House.
Krieger was included in the EA Sports' FIFA video game series in FIFA 16. This was the first time women players were in the game.
Personal Life
Krieger's last name means "warrior" in German. She learned to speak German fluently while playing in Germany. Her teammates sometimes call her "The Warrior Princess."
Ali Krieger is very close with her brother, Kyle.
On March 13, 2019, Ali Krieger announced her engagement to longtime girlfriend Ashlyn Harris. Ashlyn is also a soccer player who played with Ali on several teams. They got married on December 28, 2019. On February 14, 2021, they announced they had adopted their daughter, Sloane Phillips. On August 16, 2022, they announced the adoption of their son, Ocean Maeve.
Honors and awards
Washington Freedom
- W-League Championship: 2007
FFC Frankfurt
- UEFA Women's Cup: 2008
- Frauen-Bundesliga: 2008
- DFB-Pokal Frauen: 2008, 2011
NJ/NY Gotham FC
- NWSL Championship: 2023
United States
- FIFA Women's World Cup: 2015, 2019
- CONCACAF Women's Championship: 2014
- CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2016; 2020
- SheBelieves Cup: 2016, 2020
- Algarve Cup: 2013, 2015
Individual
- Washington Post Distinguished All-Met Award: 2013
- NWSL Best XI: 2014, 2017, 2019, 2023
- NWSL Second XI: 2013, 2016
- Fox Soccer's Best Eleven of FIFA Women's World Cup: 2011
- FIFPro: FIFA FIFPro World XI 2016
- IFFHS CONCACAF Woman Team of the Decade 2011–2020
- Big Ten All-Freshman: 2003
- Soccer Buzz Freshman All-America Third Team: 2003
- Soccer Buzz Mid-Atlantic Region All-Freshman
- NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team: 2004, 2005, 2006
- All-Big Ten First Team: 2004, 2005, 2006
- Academic All-Big Ten: 2004, 2005, 2006
- Soccer Buzz All-Mid-Atlantic Region Second Team: 2004
- NSCAA All-America First Team: 2005, 2006
- Soccer Buzz All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team: 2005, 2006
- Big Ten All-Tournament Team: 2006
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: 2006
- Soccer Buzz Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year: 2006
- Soccer Buzz All-America Third Team: 2006
- Soccer America Collegiate MVP: 2006
- Penn State Most Valuable Player: 2006
- NCAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year: 2006
- Herman Trophy Award Semifinalist: 2006
See Also
In Spanish: Ali Krieger para niños
- List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians
