Casey Krueger’s Triumphant Journey Back to the Olympics
Olympian and Washington Spirit defender Casey Krueger’s journey back to the USWNT is a testament to her unwavering dedication, hard work, training, and determination despite multiple injuries and personal setbacks. With each injury, Krueger came back stronger, earning titles and achieving career records. After being a final cut from the 2019 World Cup roster and playing in the 2020 Olympics, Krueger’s inclusion in the 2024 Olympic team is a story of triumph over setback. Let’s take a look at her journey.
Casey Krueger’s Pro Soccer Journey
Krueger is a defender for the Washington Spirit and is known for her speed and technical skills. She is a crucial player for the NWSL and the USWNT, receiving her first call-up in 2016. But her path to the national team has been far from smooth.
She experienced two season-ending injuries in her early career, including two torn ACLs. This setback prevented her from playing despite being drafted fifth in 2013. After playing with Avaldsnes IL in Norway in 2015, she signed with the Chicago Red Stars in 2016 and was named to the 2017 NWSL Best XI.
After missing the 2019 World Cup, Krueger faced another challenge with a severe ankle injury in the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, sidelining her for a significant portion of the NWSL season. She returned strong and “became the first player in NWSL history to earn Team of the Month honors the entire season.”
Despite these challenges, Krueger continued to improve, being called a “warrior” and an “iron woman” by the Attacking the Third podcast. She played in the Concacaf Women’s Championship, was named an alternate for the 2020 Olympics (played in 2021 due to the pandemic), and eventually earned a spot on the final roster.
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She was out for the 2022 season while pregnant with her son, Caleb, after experiencing a previous miscarriage. Krueger came back even stronger in 2023 to start in all 20 matches, logging the only three-assist game in Challenge Cup history.
In 2023, Krueger faced another tragedy when her father passed away. “Dad, you fought courageously until the very end, and you will always be my hero,” Kreuger wrote on X. But despite this most recent devastation, Kreuger continued to fight.
Krueger played in the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, including the final win against Brazil. As Krueger prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, she will continue to prove her value on the international stage and her determination to push forward post-injuries for herself, her team, and her country.
“As far as my expectations, I’m open-minded, hungry, and ready to go,” she said in an interview for WTOP.
Featured image via Getty Images
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