Freedom Acquires Krieger

[StarCityFan]

Freedom Acquires Krieger (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/06/freedom_acquires_krieger.html?wprss=soccerinsider)

The Washington Freedom has completed the acquisition of defender-midfielder Ali Krieger, a member of the U.S. national team player pool who was unable to join the WPS club at the start of the season because of her contract with German team FFC Frankfurt. The Freedom and Frankfurt agreed to a loan deal, but because of German federation complications, she had to move on a transfer. The fee was not disclosed. At the end of the WPS season, she will be transferred back to Frankfurt.

Awesome news! You're not going to hear a whole lot more about how slow our defense is, that's for sure. (The article goes on to say that she'll probably start at right back and could be available for Saturday.)

[Charbs21]

Great News! I wonder who the Freedom will waive to make room for her? I don't Ali would be getting a development player spot, so that means one of the full team people have to be released. My guess would be Claire Zimmeck since DeDycker, Karniski, Keller and KJ are the development players. Zimmeck has seen very limited playing time - the biggest chunk being in the inaugural match when she was subbed out before the half! Gabarra seems to prefer using midfielders as forwards (Long or Moros) over Zimmeck and frankly I agree with him. Zimmeck is just too slow and can't seem to adapt to this level of play.

I would like to see Ali play in one of two positions:

1) In the holding midfielder spot so that Sawa is able to do what she does best
2) As the article said at the right back spot. Gilbeau has just been getting burned coming back on defense after she gone up to assist in the attack, which causes the defense to have to shift, which then opens up the opposite side.

I don't know which option would be better at this point, but if Lori is really out for this next game I would want Krieger to start in the midfield.

[Mkat]

This is fantastic! Just what the team needs in the back, and I can't wait to see what impact she can make. About time Freedom gets all its National Team players from the allocation!

[StarCityFan]

I would like to see Ali play in one of two positions:

1) In the holding midfielder spot so that Sawa is able to do what she does best
2) As the article said at the right back spot. Gilbeau has just been getting burned coming back on defense after she gone up to assist in the attack, which causes the defense to have to shift, which then opens up the opposite side.

I don't know which option would be better at this point, but if Lori is really out for this next game I would want Krieger to start in the midfield.

I was thinking the same thing. She might be better as a flank defender in the long run, but I'd like to try her as a holding midfielder first and see what happens when Sawa can join in the attack.

[StarCityFan]

Press release from the team:

The Washington Freedom has acquired defender-midfielder Ali Krieger from FFC Frankfurt for the remainder of the WPS inaugural season and it has waived forward Claire Zimmeck. Krieger, the U.S. National Team pool player, was initially allocated to the Freedom on September 16th, 2008 but was unable to begin the season with the Freedom due to her current contract in Germany.


"We are very excited about the addition of Ali Krieger,” said Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “This addition gives us another world class player that we anticipate starting either in the back or in midfield. We are thankful to FFC Frankfurt for their willingness to give this opportunity to the Freedom and Ali.”

FFC Frankfurt, a German team in the Women’s Bundesliga, is arguably one of the top women’s soccer teams in the world. In 2007-2008, Krieger’s first year with the Club, FFC Frankfurt won the Bundesliga, the UEFA Women’s Cup, and the German Cup, winning all three for the first time in the Club’s history. Krieger played and started in 19 games, scoring one goal and adding two assists on the season. In ’08-’09, Krieger was plagued by a foot injury and played in four games for FFC Frankfurt, which lost in the Bundesliga quarterfinals.

Krieger, a Virginia native from Woodbridge, has previous ties with the Washington Freedom and the Metro Washington, D.C. area. The All-Met Player of the Year and Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2003 from Forest Park High School, Krieger grew up playing for the Prince William Sparklers. She also trained with the Freedom WUSA team as a college player, and was a member of the Freedom W-League team that won the Championship in 2007.


“It's refreshing to be home not only because I feel comfortable here in Washington, but also because my family and my friends are able to share this amazing experience with me,” says the most recent addition to the Freedom. “It’s nice that there is a women's professional team in my hometown!”



The local standout was a two-time NSCAA All-American midfielder at Penn State University, and the Co-Defensive Player of the Year for her senior campaign. Krieger was a member of the U-21 and U-23 U.S. National Teams, and was called up to the full National Team for the 2008 Four Nations Tournament in Foshan, China.



“Playing in a U.S. women's professional league has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl, so I am really happy to be a part of the WPS this summer,” quoted Krieger. She is excited to be back, and the Freedom is more than happy to have her.



Krieger and the second place Washington Freedom face the Chicago Red Stars in their next league match-up. The game kicks off at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday, June 13th at RFK Stadium in a doubleheader with D.C. United. Tickets are available by calling 202-547 KICK (5425) or by clicking the tickets link at washingtonfreedom.com.



TRANSACTION: Washington Freedom – Signed D-M Ali Krieger. Waived F Claire Zimmeck.

[kool-aide]

If anyone wants to see examples of the level of play in the FrauenBundesliga, the DFB has a great site, complete w/ video clips (http://tv.dfb.de/index.php?c=29) of FrauenBundesliga games. They have an English version of the site and some of the video clips do have announcers in English--although there are less things available in English. If you dig around, you might be able to find a Frankfurt game where Krieger played.

[Micol]

Article about Ali Krieger (http://www.fr-online.de/in_und_ausland/sport/1._ffc_frankfurt/1883232_1.-FFC-Frankfurt-Ein-fast-perfekter-Abstecher-in-die-Heimat.html)in a Frankfurt local newspaper (in German)

She says she prefers the German style of playing one-touch football to running with the ball like she's had to do in the WPS. She has enjoyed being in Washington but is now looking forward to going back to Frankfurt.

Staying in the US is not an option, she says. Yes, she has enjoyed being closer to her family, but she has more freedom in Frankfurt, loves having a place of her own. Her German has become quite good and she has made many friends on the team. She likes the German way of life, likes the food and the possibilities which the "small big town" Frankfurt offers. And of course she'll keep her fingers crossed for the German team at the EUROs.

All of this may be her politeness in dealing with German media; from seeing her with the Frankfurt team, even during the time she was injured, I'd say a lot of it is genuine. The most important information in the article, however: She's going back to Frankfurt and to team practice this week. :)

[StarCityFan]

She has been reliably quoted as saying that going to Germany to play was the best decision she's made in her entire life, so she is happy over there.

But she did tell me that her plan was to return to the Freedom next year and to stick with them for a while. It didn't specifically come up, but my impression is that she's looking to make the 2011 WWC team for the US, and that would be a lot easier if she's living over here.

[Charbs21]

Bad news about Ali Krieger was reported over in the Rivalry Forum (article in German):

Frankfurt have confirmed (http://www.ffc-frankfurt.de/c/cms/front_content.php?client=1&lang=1&idcat=231&idart=1084)that Ali has broken her foot. :( It happened in the 94th minute.

It was the first game of the season too. I feel very bad for Ali, especially with all the leg/foot injuries she has had, but I hope she has a speedy recovery and is able to get in some games before the Frauenbundesliga schedule ends in 2010.

[StarCityFan]

Bad news about Ali Krieger was reported over in the Rivalry Forum (article in German):



It was the first game of the season too. I feel very bad for Ali, especially with all the leg/foot injuries she has had, but I hope she has a speedy recovery and is able to get in some games before the Frauenbundesliga schedule ends in 2010.

That's awful. She's had the worst time her entire career with broken bones - I know she broke something major in college as well.

[Charbs21]

That's awful. She's had the worst time her entire career with broken bones - I know she broke something major in college as well.

Yeah I think she broke her fibula in college. She had complications during her recovery from that injury- i think she developed some blood clots and had to go to the hospital.

[bethgsimm]

Well that really stinks..
Sorry to hear that