On Thursday, Ali Krieger, a two-time World champion and former USWNT defender, said she will play soccer again and join Heather O’Reilly’s team in the first Women’s The Soccer Tournament in June. Heather O’Reilly, Krieger’s old partner, put together the only all-women TST team and played against men’s teams last year. There will be eight women’s teams in the TST this time.
When O’Reilly’s team played in last year’s event, they were called US Women and were coached by Mia Hamm. Before, O’Reilly said she would ask people like Krieger and Carli Lloyd to join the TST team.
“I’m really happy. Heather O’Reilly is putting together a group. Most of them used to play for the national team. It works really well together. There may be other people who will support them as well. In an episode of Futbol Americas, Ali Krieger told Sebastian Salazar of ESPN, “I’ve only seen a lot of attacking players.” “I’m so glad to have a few days off. I told her I would only join if we win. “I can’t wait to play in front of the fans, their supporters, and some of my family again,” Krieger said.
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Before leaving the USWNT in 2021, Ali Krieger had played 108 times for the US. As part of the USWNT, she won two FIFA World Cups, a CONCACAF Women’s Cup, a SheBelieves Cup, and two Algarve Cups. Krieger played for the Washington Spirit, the Orlando Pride, and Gotham FC in the NWSL. After winning the NWSL title with Gotham FC in 2023, she stopped playing club soccer.
Fans could see Krieger play again in the TST less than a year after he retired. First, let’s learn more about the first Women’s TST.
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Everything about TST and Ali Krieger’s second stay
Heather O’Reilly’s team was the only all-women team in the first Iteration of The Soccer Tournament, which took place in 2023. TST games are seven-a-side, and the winner gets everything. The champion will get $1 million in cash. The tournament will have a different competition this time for the women’s teams. To follow the rules of equal pay, the women who win the title will also get a million dollars in cash. It has not yet been confirmed who will be on O’Reilly’s team with Ali Krieger.
The event will take place in Cary, North Carolina, from June 5 to 10, just like it did last year. Two event finals—one for men and one for women—will happen at the same time and place. There are eight women’s teams in the first women’s TST, including O’Reilly and Krieger’s. TST hasn’t said which other women’s sides have been chosen yet. With more teams, more USWNT players from Krieger’s group could come back from retirement.
