What Happened to Alexandra Blaire Krieger?

Alexandra 'Ali' Krieger, born on July 28, 1984, established herself as one of the most resilient and decorated defenders in American soccer history. Her collegiate career at Penn State University (2003-2006) saw her earn All-American honors in two positions and lead the Nittany Lions to four consecutive Big Ten championships.

Krieger began her professional journey in Germany with 1. FFC Frankfurt from 2007 to 2012, where she won the UEFA Women's Champions League in 2008. She made her debut for the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) in 2008 and was a pivotal part of the squad that reached the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Despite a significant ACL injury in 2012 that sidelined her from the Olympics, Krieger made a remarkable comeback, playing a crucial role in the USWNT's FIFA Women's World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019.

In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), Krieger played for the Washington Spirit (2013-2016) before being traded to the Orlando Pride in November 2016, where she spent five seasons. Her NWSL career culminated with NJ/NY Gotham FC, whom she joined in December 2021. In March 2023, Krieger announced her retirement from professional soccer at the end of the 2023 NWSL season, expressing a strong desire to win an NWSL Championship, a title that had eluded her. She achieved this goal in November 2023, captaining Gotham FC to a dramatic 2-1 victory over OL Reign, marking a fairytale ending to her playing career and a significant turnaround for the club, which had finished last in 2022.

Following her retirement, Krieger quickly transitioned into a new phase of her career. In March 2024, she joined ESPN as a soccer studio analyst, providing expert commentary for NWSL, USWNT, and other major women's soccer events, and co-hosting 'Futbol W'. In September 2024, Gotham FC appointed her as their first-ever Club Ambassador, a role focused on amplifying the club's profile and community engagement. Throughout 2026, Krieger has remained active, participating in events such as Soccer Aid for UNICEF in May, attending the grand opening of the Greater Williamsburg Sports & Event Center in June, and discussing Gotham FC's future move to a new stadium in Queens in July. Most recently, in September 2026, it was announced that she and former teammate Joanna Lohman would compete in the 39th season of 'The Amazing Race'.

Krieger's personal life also saw significant developments. She and fellow USWNT player Ashlyn Harris, whom she married in December 2019, adopted their daughter Sloane in November 2020 and later a son, Ocean. However, Harris filed for divorce in September 2023. By July 2024, Krieger revealed she was dating a 'wonderful person', and in June 2026, it was confirmed that she is in a relationship with former Scottish footballer Jen Beattie. Krieger continues to be a vocal advocate for equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, and social justice, aiming to leave the game better than she found it.