Ali Krieger is taking a brief interlude from retirement to play this summer in The Soccer Tournament.
The defender will be teaming up with former USWNT teammate Heather O’Reilly on the U.S. Women’s team to compete in the first women’s iteration of the 7-on-7 competition.
The winning team will take home $1 million in prize money.
Ali Krieger is NOT DONE YET‼️
— TST (@TST7v7) April 5, 2024
Two time World Cup Winner, @alikrieger has announced that she will be playing with US Women at TST this June!
Ali will reunite with Heather O'Reilly as they'll look to win TST's first ever Women's Tournament🇺🇸
TST TICKETS: https://t.co/N7DEXHhSo4 pic.twitter.com/W7FBLBq4W9
“I’m so excited. Heather O’Reilly is putting a team together. Mostly former national team players,” Krieger told ESPN’s Futbol Americas. “It’s a great mix. I don’t know if I’m going to be the only defender. I’ve only seen a lot of the attacking players.”
She also joked that she’s in it to win it all. But she’s also excited just to “enjoy myself for a few days.”
“I told [O’Reilly] that I’m only signing up if we win,” Krieger said. “So I told her no pressure. But I’m bringing my boots … I actually am starting training soon so I don’t injure myself. I’m very excited to play in front of the fans, the supporters, and some family members again.”
Krieger retired from the USWNT in 2021 before ending her professional career in the NWSL in 2023 with Gotham FC, going out on top with the team’s first NWSL championship.
Other members of the team have yet to be announced, although O’Reilly has said that she’s trying to recruit former teammates like Julie Ertz and Carli Lloyd to the team.
The tournament will take place in Cary, N.C. from June 5-10.