Ali Krieger to the Washington Spirit in the NWSL allocation

The National Women's Soccer League allocated the 55 American, Canadian, and Mexican players whose federations will be paying their contracts on Friday. The Washington Spirit, the successor to D.C. United Women, received Ali Krieger, who was the starting right back for the US Women's National Team until a knee injury took her out of the buildup to the 2012 Olympics. Krieger is from Alexandria, Virginia, and made public her desire to play for the Washington Spirit. She is coming back to the United States after playing for FFC Frankfurt for 5 years.

Besides Krieger, the Spirit also received goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, midfielder Lori Lindsey, defender Alina Garciamendez, defender Robyn Gayle, midfielder Diana Matheson, and midfielder Teresa Worbis. All of these players will be subsidized by their federations, helping to keep the costs down for the groups operating each of the teams. Out of the players allocated to the Washington Spirit, only Robyn Gayle and Diana Matheson played in the 2012 Olympics; Matheson scored the goal for Canada that won them the bronze medal match.

The NWSL will begin its 22 game season in April, with the Spirit playing their home games at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Maryland. The next player selection event will be the NWSL draft, which will occur this coming Friday. Finally, the Spirit will also invite players to their own combine on January 26th and 27th, for which interested players can sign up on their website.