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Washington Spirit and U.S women’s national team defender Ali Krieger is reportedly being traded to the Orlando Pride, per Equalizer Soccer’s Dan Lauletta. The Spirit captain has been with the Spirit since the start of the franchise in 2013 but rumors of a Krieger trade have been floating around since the end of the NWSL season. Lauletta reports the trade is awaiting league approval.
Pending league approval, Ali Krieger heading to Orlando, could be announced Wed; not sure what's going back but will be Pride tilted #NWSL
— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) November 1, 2016
Krieger has 95 caps with the USWNT and was a member of the World Cup-winning team in 2015 as well as making her first Olympic squad this summer. For the Spirit, Krieger is a key leader - she’s the club’s captain - and veteran presence. Krieger also helped lead the Spirit’s response to the anthem controversy this September.
With Caprice Dydasco’s ACL injury, a Krieger trade would be another blow to the Spirit’s backline. The Pride finished ninth this season and it’s unclear what the Spirit would hope to gain from the trade.
Earlier this offseason, Krieger remarked on the trade rumors but did not deny them.
— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) October 22, 2016