Ali Krieger
Encyclopedia
Alexandra Blaire "Ali" Krieger (born July 28, 1984) is an American
soccer player currently playing for 1. FFC Frankfurt
of the Frauen-Bundesliga
and is a member of the United States Women's National Soccer Team
.
with the university's Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer team. With the Nittany Lions, she was a two-time All-American, a first team NSCAA All-American, co-defensive player of the year, team captain, Big-Ten Freshman of the year and a semifinalist for the M.A.C. Hermann trophy. While at Penn State her team won four consecutive Big-Ten championships.
to 1. FFC Frankfurt
, where she remained in the starting eleven since the beginning of the 2007 season, barring injury. In a game against FCR 2001 Duisburg
on 24 February 2008, Krieger scored her first goal for 1. FFC Frankfurt in the 73rd minute. While injured for most of the 2008–2009 season, she regained match fitness with Washington Freedom
of Women's Professional Soccer
. Following the conclusion of the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
, Krieger returned to Germany in August 2009 and was slotted straight into the starting 11 for 1. FFC Frankfurt. Having spent 4 years in Germany with FFC Frankfurt, Ali is now fluent in German and considers Germany her second home.
In February 2010, Ali's contract with 1. FFC Frankfurt was extended early for an additional year through June 2011, with an player's option year through 2012. Her contract allowed her to compete on the U.S. Women's National Team, and U.S. Women's World Cup team. In March 2011, Ali announced she would not return to 1. FFC Frankfurt and would return to the United States to concentrate on earning a spot on the U.S. Women's National Team in preparation for the World Cup. She left open the possibility of playing again in Germany after the World Cup and/or the Olympics. In her final game on March 26, 2011 for 1. FFC Frankfurt
against defending champion 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
, Ali played all ninety minutes as her team won the German Women's cup competition (DFB Pokal).
Ali spent a few weeks traveling and making appearances following the World Cup. Despite the extensive travel demands required to be part of the U. S. Women's National Team during an Olympic qualifying year, Ali missed her team and the high quality soccer she enjoyed in Germany. She decided in August 2011 to rejoined FFC Frankfurt signing a two year contract.
's initial twenty-one allocated players from the United States Women's National Team
, having been assigned to Washington Freedom
. However due to her contract with 1. FFC Frankfurt, she was initially unavailable to join the Freedom. Frankfurt agreed to a transfer in June 2009 following the conclusion of their season, which allowed Krieger to return from injury and regain match fitness. Her first match for Washington Freedom was on June 13, 2009. Initially recovering from a foot injury suffered in Germany, she rounded into shape and played her best in the final games of the season helping to lead the Freedom in securing a playoff position.
in the Four Nations Cup in China
on 16 January 2008 against Canada
. Ali was named in October 2010 to the 18 player roster of the U. S. Women's National Team to play in the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Cancun, Mexico. She started all four matches in helping the U.S. Women's National Team win the Algarve Cup in March 2011. Ali currently has a total of 24 caps. She scored the fifth and decisive penalty kick after extra time against Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. The match, played on July 10, 2011, marked the 12 year anniversary of the United States Women's National Soccer Team's championship win against China, also ending in a shootout. Ali was one of only four players for the United States to start and play every minute (600, in total) of 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was named to Fox Soccer's Best 11 as the best right back in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer player currently playing for 1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt is a German women's association football club based in Frankfurt, Hesse and has a membership of about 430. The team currently plays in the German first division women's Bundesliga.- History :...
of the Frauen-Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga (women)
The Women's Football Bundesliga is the main league competition for women's football in Germany. In 1990 the German Football Association created the German Women's Bundesliga, based on the model of the men's Bundesliga. It was first played with north and south divisions, but in 1997 the groups...
and is a member of the United States Women's National Soccer Team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
.
Youth and High School
Coached by her father for 12 years, Ali played her youth soccer on the Prince William Sparklers. Her team included eight core players who grew up and played together all 12 years. In high school Ali spent one year at Hylton High School before transferring to newly opened Forest Park High School. At Forest Park she was a three year team captain, led her team to their first undefeated regular season and was a three-time, first-team all district player. Twice an All-Virginia AAA selection she also was All-Met Honorable mention as a sophomore. Her junior and senior years she was a first team All-Met selection and as a senior was named The Washington Post's Player of the Year. Ali was also honored as Gatorade's state player of the year in her final year at Forest Park.College Career
Ali Krieger began her career at Penn State UniversityPennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
with the university's Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer team. With the Nittany Lions, she was a two-time All-American, a first team NSCAA All-American, co-defensive player of the year, team captain, Big-Ten Freshman of the year and a semifinalist for the M.A.C. Hermann trophy. While at Penn State her team won four consecutive Big-Ten championships.
International Career
In the summer of 2007, Krieger moved with fellow countrywoman Gina LewandowskiGina Lewandowski
Gina Loren Lewandowski is an American soccer player and biology major, she plays as a defender for the Western New York Flash.- Career :...
to 1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt is a German women's association football club based in Frankfurt, Hesse and has a membership of about 430. The team currently plays in the German first division women's Bundesliga.- History :...
, where she remained in the starting eleven since the beginning of the 2007 season, barring injury. In a game against FCR 2001 Duisburg
FCR 2001 Duisburg
FCR 2001 Duisburg is a German women's football club from Duisburg. The first team plays in the Fußball-Bundesliga . They originate from a women's team formed in 1977 under the umbrella of FC Rumeln-Kaldenhausen and have existed as an independent club since 8th. June 2001...
on 24 February 2008, Krieger scored her first goal for 1. FFC Frankfurt in the 73rd minute. While injured for most of the 2008–2009 season, she regained match fitness with Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
of Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
. Following the conclusion of the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season served as the inaugural season for WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States...
, Krieger returned to Germany in August 2009 and was slotted straight into the starting 11 for 1. FFC Frankfurt. Having spent 4 years in Germany with FFC Frankfurt, Ali is now fluent in German and considers Germany her second home.
In February 2010, Ali's contract with 1. FFC Frankfurt was extended early for an additional year through June 2011, with an player's option year through 2012. Her contract allowed her to compete on the U.S. Women's National Team, and U.S. Women's World Cup team. In March 2011, Ali announced she would not return to 1. FFC Frankfurt and would return to the United States to concentrate on earning a spot on the U.S. Women's National Team in preparation for the World Cup. She left open the possibility of playing again in Germany after the World Cup and/or the Olympics. In her final game on March 26, 2011 for 1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt
1. FFC Frankfurt is a German women's association football club based in Frankfurt, Hesse and has a membership of about 430. The team currently plays in the German first division women's Bundesliga.- History :...
against defending champion 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam
1. FFC Turbine Potsdam is a women's football club team in Potsdam, Germany. The full name is 1. Frauen-Fußball-Club Turbine Potsdam 71 e. V. . They are one of the most successful teams in Germany...
, Ali played all ninety minutes as her team won the German Women's cup competition (DFB Pokal).
Ali spent a few weeks traveling and making appearances following the World Cup. Despite the extensive travel demands required to be part of the U. S. Women's National Team during an Olympic qualifying year, Ali missed her team and the high quality soccer she enjoyed in Germany. She decided in August 2011 to rejoined FFC Frankfurt signing a two year contract.
Women's Professional Soccer
In September 2008, Krieger was named one of Women's Professional SoccerWomen's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
's initial twenty-one allocated players from the United States Women's National Team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
, having been assigned to Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
. However due to her contract with 1. FFC Frankfurt, she was initially unavailable to join the Freedom. Frankfurt agreed to a transfer in June 2009 following the conclusion of their season, which allowed Krieger to return from injury and regain match fitness. Her first match for Washington Freedom was on June 13, 2009. Initially recovering from a foot injury suffered in Germany, she rounded into shape and played her best in the final games of the season helping to lead the Freedom in securing a playoff position.
Health History
In 2005, Krieger had a nearly fatal health scare as a result of an injury suffered at Penn State in preparation for the NCAA soccer championship. After experiencing shortness of breath, Krieger was convinced to check into the hospital as a precaution. The decision likely saved her life, as clots in her lungs were affecting her blood flow, and had even triggered six mini heart attacks. She subsequently made a full recovery.United States Women's National Soccer Team
Ali made her first appearance with the United States women's national soccer teamUnited States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
in the Four Nations Cup in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
on 16 January 2008 against Canada
Canada women's national soccer team
The Canada women's national soccer team is overseen by the Canadian Soccer Association. The team reached its all-time high of 6th in the March 2011 rankings. The team reached international prominence finishing in 4th place at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003, losing to their archrival American team...
. Ali was named in October 2010 to the 18 player roster of the U. S. Women's National Team to play in the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Cancun, Mexico. She started all four matches in helping the U.S. Women's National Team win the Algarve Cup in March 2011. Ali currently has a total of 24 caps. She scored the fifth and decisive penalty kick after extra time against Brazil in the quarterfinals of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany. The match, played on July 10, 2011, marked the 12 year anniversary of the United States Women's National Soccer Team's championship win against China, also ending in a shootout. Ali was one of only four players for the United States to start and play every minute (600, in total) of 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She was named to Fox Soccer's Best 11 as the best right back in the FIFA Women's World Cup.
Honors
- 2011: Fox Soccer's Best of Eleven 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup
- 2008: UEFA Women's Champions League Championship
- 2008 & 20112010–11 Frauen DFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal 2010–11 was the 31st season of the cup competition, Germany's second-most important title in women's football. 1. FFC Frankfurt defeated 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam 2–1 in the final in Cologne on 26 March 2011.-Participating clubs:...
: German Cup Championship - 2008: Fußball-Bundesliga (women) Championship
- 2007: W-League Championship (Washington Freedom)
- 2006: NCAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year (Penn State)
- 2004: "Big Ten Freshman of the Year" (Penn State)
- 2003: Gatorade's Virginia State Player of the Year (Forest Park High School)
- 2003: First Team All-Met and Player of the Year (Forest Park High School)
- 2002: First Team All-Met (Forest Park High School)