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3 days ago
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Ex-USWNT star Ali Krieger on women's sports: ‘I want to be an owner and invest fully in an organization'
Ex-USWNT star Ali Krieger on women's sports: 'I want to be an owner and invest fully in an organization' Ali Krieger retired from professional soccer two years ago after winning the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham FC, but that doesn't mean she's stopped playing. And it definitely doesn't mean she's stopped winning. Advertisement The two-time World Cup winner joined her former teammates, as well as some new faces, to form the US Women's team at The Soccer Tournament (TST) in Cary, North Carolina, earlier this month. A goal from the U.S. Under-23 and University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores, assisted by Krieger's former national team teammate Heather O'Reilly, earned the group a second consecutive title at the seven-on-seven tournament and the $1million prize. 'It was incredible,' Krieger told , describing joining O'Reilly and other former teammates such as Jo Lohman, Carli Lloyd, as well as former Arsenal defender and girlfriend Jen Beattie. 'It's just enjoyable to play with my former teammates again, who I've won championships with over the years, and then just to see the young talent rise.' Sitting in 100-degree heat in the heart of Manhattan, Krieger spoke to while getting ready for another short-side match. This time it was to play in a five-on-five charity match called Showdown, organized by her friend, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and soccer enthusiast Steve Nash, via his eponymous foundation. The mini-tournament featured former and current professional basketball and soccer players to raise money for children in need. 'I miss the game so much, so kind of dabbling in it one weekend at a time every year is enough for me,' Krieger told on Tuesday ahead of the event. The hunger to grow the game hasn't left her. And while she's no longer lacing up her boots at the highest level, she is expanding her investment portfolio to give back and stay in the game. Advertisement Earlier this year, Krieger invested equity in League One Volleyball (LOVB). She said she sees women's sports not just as a place where she used to compete, but as an ecosystem worth investing in. 'I'd love to get into women's hockey as well as basketball, and of course, I want to keep expanding my role in the NWSL,' she said, and not only as an analyst, a job she's had with ESPN since 2024. 'I want to be an owner and invest fully in an organization so that I can have more of an impact on the day-to-day side of things,' Krieger said. She's part of a growing wave of former U.S. women's national team players betting on women's sports, particularly on the league they bruised their legs for many years. After retiring from the team, Alex Morgan became a minority investor in the San Diego Wave FC, the club where she closed out her playing career and where her jersey will be retired in the fall. Lauren Holiday joined the ownership group of the North Carolina Courage, while Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm are both part of the high-profile investor group behind Angel City FC. Aly Wagner is part of the Bay FC ownership group, together with Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne. Advertisement Krieger retired from professional soccer as the NWSL was hitting a major inflection point, when investors were lining up and franchise valuations were soaring into the double-digit millions. Today, her vision includes helping shape where the game goes next. While the NWSL has announced new expansion teams in Boston and Denver, Krieger believes there's more fertile ground in the U.S. 'I think Las Vegas would be amazing,' she said. 'Arizona, Atlanta, Austin, these are all amazing cities for soccer.' One close to the Virginia-native's home is Philadelphia, and she thinks it deserves a team. She also sees room for another team in the New York area, where she finished her career. 'I'd love to see another team in New York someday,' she added. 'Rivalries matter. They grow the game.' Advertisement But rivalries alone won't sustain the next phase of women's soccer. For that, Krieger thinks it's time for the NWSL teams to think and act like clubs. 'It would be great to have that model, just like it is in Europe, where you start at the youth level and you move through the ranks. That consistency breeds elite talent. It's not just kids coming to play; there is a structure, but it's going to take some time.' That development also involves the national team players, like her former TST teammate, Shores, who benefited from a half-year of camps dedicated to developing the under-23 age group. 'That pathway hasn't always been smooth. (U.S. head coach) Emma (Hayes) is fixing that,' Krieger said. 'Giving these young rookies a real chance? It's exciting. And they deserve it if they're showing up in the league.' Advertisement The development adds a level of competition, too, Krieger believes. 'No one is guaranteed a spot, and that's how it should be.' As for Krieger's role, she'll continue to do what she can from the sidelines, even as that desire to be in the middle of the action remains. 'When I'm not playing, I'm more nervous,' she admitted. 'You can't control anything. On the field, at least you feel like you can help. Off it, you're just watching, and yelling doesn't do much.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, Gotham FC, NWSL, Sports Business, Women's Soccer 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Ex-USWNT star Ali Krieger on women's sports: ‘I want to be an owner and invest fully in an organization'
Ali Krieger retired from professional soccer two years ago after winning the 2023 NWSL Championship with Gotham FC, but that doesn't mean she's stopped playing. And it definitely doesn't mean she's stopped winning. The two-time World Cup winner joined her former teammates, as well as some new faces, to form the US Women's team at The Soccer Tournament (TST) in Cary, North Carolina, earlier this month. A goal from the U.S. Under-23 and University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores, assisted by Krieger's former national team teammate Heather O'Reilly, earned the group a second consecutive title at the seven-on-seven tournament and the $1million prize. Advertisement 'It was incredible,' Krieger told The Athletic, describing joining O'Reilly and other former teammates such as Jo Lohman, Carli Lloyd, as well as former Arsenal defender and girlfriend Jen Beattie. 'It's just enjoyable to play with my former teammates again, who I've won championships with over the years, and then just to see the young talent rise.' Sitting in 100-degree heat in the heart of Manhattan, Krieger spoke to The Athletic while getting ready for another short-side match. This time it was to play in a five-on-five charity match called Showdown, organized by her friend, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer and soccer enthusiast Steve Nash, via his eponymous foundation. The mini-tournament featured former and current professional basketball and soccer players to raise money for children in need. 'I miss the game so much, so kind of dabbling in it one weekend at a time every year is enough for me,' Krieger told The Athletic on Tuesday ahead of the event. A post shared by Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) The hunger to grow the game hasn't left her. And while she's no longer lacing up her boots at the highest level, she is expanding her investment portfolio to give back and stay in the game. Earlier this year, Krieger invested equity in League One Volleyball (LOVB). She said she sees women's sports not just as a place where she used to compete, but as an ecosystem worth investing in. 'I'd love to get into women's hockey as well as basketball, and of course, I want to keep expanding my role in the NWSL,' she said, and not only as an analyst, a job she's had with ESPN since 2024. 'I want to be an owner and invest fully in an organization so that I can have more of an impact on the day-to-day side of things,' Krieger said. A post shared by League One Volleyball (@lovb) She's part of a growing wave of former U.S. women's national team players betting on women's sports, particularly on the league they bruised their legs for many years. After retiring from the team, Alex Morgan became a minority investor in the San Diego Wave FC, the club where she closed out her playing career and where her jersey will be retired in the fall. Lauren Holiday joined the ownership group of the North Carolina Courage, while Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm are both part of the high-profile investor group behind Angel City FC. Aly Wagner is part of the Bay FC ownership group, together with Brandi Chastain, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne. Krieger retired from professional soccer as the NWSL was hitting a major inflection point, when investors were lining up and franchise valuations were soaring into the double-digit millions. Today, her vision includes helping shape where the game goes next. While the NWSL has announced new expansion teams in Boston and Denver, Krieger believes there's more fertile ground in the U.S. Advertisement 'I think Las Vegas would be amazing,' she said. 'Arizona, Atlanta, Austin, these are all amazing cities for soccer.' One close to the Virginia-native's home is Philadelphia, and she thinks it deserves a team. She also sees room for another team in the New York area, where she finished her career. 'I'd love to see another team in New York someday,' she added. 'Rivalries matter. They grow the game.' But rivalries alone won't sustain the next phase of women's soccer. For that, Krieger thinks it's time for the NWSL teams to think and act like clubs. 'It would be great to have that model, just like it is in Europe, where you start at the youth level and you move through the ranks. That consistency breeds elite talent. It's not just kids coming to play; there is a structure, but it's going to take some time.' That development also involves the national team players, like her former TST teammate, Shores, who benefited from a half-year of camps dedicated to developing the under-23 age group. 'That pathway hasn't always been smooth. (U.S. head coach) Emma (Hayes) is fixing that,' Krieger said. 'Giving these young rookies a real chance? It's exciting. And they deserve it if they're showing up in the league.' The development adds a level of competition, too, Krieger believes. 'No one is guaranteed a spot, and that's how it should be.' As for Krieger's role, she'll continue to do what she can from the sidelines, even as that desire to be in the middle of the action remains. 'When I'm not playing, I'm more nervous,' she admitted. 'You can't control anything. On the field, at least you feel like you can help. Off it, you're just watching, and yelling doesn't do much.'
New York Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Who is Evelyn Shores? The USWNT youth player winning NCAA titles and scoring $1 million goals
University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores isn't taking a break this summer. Six months after helping the Tar Heels capture their 23rd NCAA title, she scored the winning goal last month for the U.S. women's national team under-23s against Germany. And on Monday, she found the back of the net again, winning $1 million for the US Women at The Soccer Tournament (TST) just miles from her university. Advertisement Recruited by former U.S. midfielder Heather O'Reilly, 20 years her senior, Shores joined a team of legends, including O'Reilly, Carli Lloyd and Ali Krieger, for the seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition. 'I was sprinting back to recover on defense, saw Heather (O'Reilly) win the ball, and just went. I was exhausted, but I had to go,' Shores told The Athletic. 'She put it on a platter for me. I had to finish it.' A post shared by TST (@tst7v7) Still jetlagged from her trip to Germany with the USWNT U-23 team, Shores went straight to training alongside players she'd watched win World Cups and Olympic gold medals. 'Playing 1v1s in practice with Carli Lloyd the day after flying in from Germany? That was insane,' she said. 'They made us feel like equals. That was the craziest part.' She was one of the five UNC players O'Reilly invited to join her and the other World Cup winners at TST, which takes place over a week in Cary, North Carolina. 'I have always liked Evelyn as a player from the first minute I saw her play at Carolina,' O'Reilly told The Athletic. 'Thrilled that she had that goal because she had a very good tournament and does a lot of nuanced work for the team that maybe isn't flashy, but she had her moment, and we are all so happy about that.' For Shores, TST was a refreshing change of pace. 'It's such a fun tournament,' she said. 'The ball moves fast, everyone's pressing, you sub out the second you're tired, and fans are basically on top of the field. It's a different kind of soccer — and maybe more exciting for people who aren't into the traditional 11v11.' The 20-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, began her soccer journey at age four at Tophat FC, an elite youth academy in Georgia. For Shores, soccer is a family tradition. Her mom, a former Tar Heel, was her first coach. Her grandpa coached her mom. 'I wrote a letter to myself in fifth grade saying I hoped I'd get a scholarship to UNC. I committed in eighth grade,' Shores said. 'I always knew I wanted to come here.' Advertisement That commitment has paid off. In her freshman year, she appeared in 13 matches, finishing her rookie season ranked third on the team with four goals, three assists and 11 points to lead all UNC freshmen. She scored her first college brace in a three-minute stretch against USC, which was also her first goal. But in October of her freshman year, her promising first season came to a halt. While attempting a tackle near the sideline against Wake Forest, she got tangled up with a player and collapsed, clutching her right knee, unable to stand on her own. Five days later, she announced that she tore her ACL and that her season was over. Amid the heartbreak, she had support from her family and friends throughout her recovery and she counted the days to her comeback. After two surgeries and a difficult rehabilitation period, she returned from injury in 2024 to play in the final 10 games of the season, with her first appearance back against No. 1 Duke in the regular season finale. 'My first goal back from my injury was very special,' she told The Athletic. She scored against UNC's biggest rival with her left foot in the 44th minute. 'After such a long time off the field, coming back and scoring was like a huge deal to me,' she said. Announcing herself with a goal is a habit now. When Shores was named to the USWNT U-23 camp last month, she was the only player not signed to a professional contract. But that didn't matter on the field. In the final minute of stoppage time on May 30, after a scramble in the box, Seattle Reign center back Jordyn Bugg lifted a ball over Germany's defense. Shores found the end of the looping pass and one-timed the ball into the net. 'It was a surreal experience,' Shores told The Athletic. 'Honestly, I couldn't even really celebrate after the goal, because I was just so relieved.' The U.S. split results during the window, and Shores flew directly back to North Carolina to represent the U.S. in a different capacity. She, again, introduced herself with a game-winning goal. A post shared by Evelyn Shores (@evelynshores) For now, Shores is focused on a healthy return, another trip to the NCAA College Cup, and if the stars align, TST again next year. As for the $1 million she helped win, for not just herself but the players she's looked up to? Unfortunately for Shores, NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from accepting prize money. Advertisement 'I'm not actually sure where my portion goes,' she said with a shrug. 'But I'm just happy to be a part of it.' A spokesperson for TST confirmed that the money that could not be awarded to the college players was divided evenly among the rest of the group. While her TST goal may be the most high-profile moment yet, it's likely just the beginning for the rising college junior. She's still undecided about whether she'll pursue a professional career in the U.S. or abroad, but one thing's clear: she's got options. 'I've always wanted to be a pro. That's been the dream since I was little,' she said. 'This will be my first healthy preseason in a while,' Shores said, speaking about her immediate future. 'Just being back on the field, competing, playing with teammates I love, it's all been surreal.'
New York Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
US Women win TST title and its $1 million prize for second straight year
The US Women are back-to-back winners of the $1 million The Soccer Tournament (TST) prize thanks to a goal from 20-year-old University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores. The US Women won 3-0 against Bumpy Pitch FC on Monday in target score time. 'I feel so surreal. It was such a team effort. This has been so fun all around. I'm just so glad I could help us win it,' Shores said after the win. 'They've been great this entire week, just getting us in the team, making us feel comfortable.' EVELYN SHORES SCORES THE ONE MILLION DOLLAR GOAL ASSISTED BY HEATHER O'REILLY!!!!!!! US WOMEN ARE YOUR TST 2025 WOMEN'S CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! BACK-TO-BACK!!!!!!!! — TST (@TST7v7) June 10, 2025 The seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition has become a playground for former and young players alike. And thanks to captain Heather O'Reilly, it's become a regular chance for USWNT legends to make their return. After winning the tournament last year, O'Reilly again assembled a team that included Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger and Jill Loyden among five UNC players, including Shores. Advertisement Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, TST has grown from a quirky offseason tournament into a potential model for a fast-paced version of soccer mostly consumed by younger fans. The tournament was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications. The tournament signed a broadcast deal with ESPN and, on the women's side, signed with RBC Wealth Management as the main sponsor. In its third year, 48 men's and 16 women's teams competed in games played on a smaller field with a fast-paced format designed to maximize entertainment. The games didn't end after full time, either. With the target score time reached, the game finished with both teams trying to reach a score determined by adding one to the leading team's score after the full-time whistle. In target score time, players are slowly taken off the field until they reach 2v2, if necessary. With 4-on-4 and up 2-0, O'Reilly found the foot of Shores for the winning goal. The goal adds to Shore's recent success, which includes being the only college player called into the USWNT under-23 camp last month and scoring the winning goal in the team's friendly against Germany on May 30. (Photo courtesy of The Soccer Tournament)
New York Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Carli Lloyd's game-winner, USWNT reunion and a $1 million prize: TST balances fun with fire
The past few days in Cary, North Carolina have felt like a U.S. women's national team reunion, complete with slide tackles and a $1 million prize on the line. World Cup winners like Heather O'Reilly, Carli Lloyd, Ali Krieger and Hope Solo laced up once again, not just for nostalgia, but to satiate that ever-present hunger for competition and glory. Advertisement Their battleground was The Soccer Tournament (TST), a seven-a-side, winner-takes-all competition which is equal parts entertainment and sport. And for the second year in a row, it has become something of a post-retirement playground for the U.S. women's national team. Starting last week, games were played on a smaller field with a fast-paced format designed for high-stakes and comebacks. The tournament featured rolling substitutions and target score time, meaning a game finishes on a final goal as opposed to when time ends. The target score is determined by adding one to the leading team's score after the full-time whistle and having teams compete to see who is the first to reach that total. As an added obstacle, a player from each team is removed from the field of play every three minutes until this target score is reached. In its third year, 48 men's teams and 16 women's teams competed for a $1 million prize. It all comes down to the two finals on Monday night: reigning champions US Women play Bumpy Pitch FC Women at 7 and Bumpy Pitch FC (men) take on Pumas De Alabama at 8:30, streaming on ESPN+. 'This is our third year in the tournament,' O'Reilly, US Women founder and captain, told The Athletic. Chatting from her bed between two matches, in mid-recovery on Friday, she talked about the tournament's evolution. 'Year one, we were the only all-women's team, got our butts kicked, but probably were fan favorites. That loss turned into something bigger and the following year we demanded a women's division and equal prize money.' TST organizers first questioned the idea of paying women equal prize money, but O'Reilly pushed hard for it. The organizers said there was an ongoing discussion about the prize money and eventually agreed that equal pay was the only way to go. 'Don't even do it at all if you're not going to do it equally,' O'Reilly said. Advertisement O'Reilly is the driving force behind assembling the US Women team. She retired from professional soccer in 2019 but came back to fulfil her dream of playing the UEFA Champions League with Irish champions Shelbourne in the 2022-23 season. (Gotham FC also signed her as an Injury Replacement Player for a game in 2024.) Though she shifted to coaching in her post-playing years, O'Reilly never stopped jumping to lunchtime pick-up games when she could. When she heard TST was taking place in her backyard, she knew she had to play. Last year, she recruited her longtime friend Lloyd, who was pregnant at the time, to coach. But this year, after welcoming her daughter Harper in October, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year is back on the field, fit and focused. The 42-year-old scored the winning goal for the US Women on Friday to make it to the semifinals over the weekend. A post shared by TST (@tst7v7) Krieger is also on the squad. So are Allie Long, Amber Brooks, Cat Whitehill, Casey Loyd, Jill Loyden and Jo Lohman. Former USWNT midfielder and Bay FC co-founder Leslie Osborne is serving as an assistant coach, while Lori Lindsey is the team's general manager. Solo entered her own team this year, Solo FC, falling to Ultrain FC in the quarterfinals. In that match, the former U.S. goalkeeper made a diving save reminiscent of those she made in World Cup and Olympic finals. Knowing more opponents were joining the tournament this year, the US Women's preparation started early: Zoom calls, strategy sessions, and even custom workout plans were sent out weeks in advance. 'Every year, new teams come in better prepared,' O'Reilly said. 'Some of these coaches know this format inside-out.' This year, O'Reilly added a handful of younger legs too, including University of North Carolina midfielder Evelyn Shores, who scored the game winner for the USWNT U-23 team in Germany last month. Advertisement 'You have to keep evolving, find those small margins. This game is different from 11-a-side,' O'Reilly said. 'Last year we lost our first game, and it was a real wake-up call.' When the US Women won the tournament in 2024, each player took home around $50,000, while coaching and staff took in about half of that. 'That's not just gas money, that's tuition for kids' schools, a mortgage, real-life stuff,' O'Reilly said. On Monday night, they will face off against Bumpy Pitch Women — a squad making its TST debut with a mix of former NWSL players like Ally Prisock, Katie Johnson, McCall Zerboni, as well as college talent, and European and Japanese pros — for the same $1 million prize. From the start, the team's mission wasn't just to compete, it was to make a statement. They lobbied for equal prize money. They got it. Now they want more. 'There's so much brand value here,' she said. 'You've got U.S. legends, high-level soccer and an audience that's hungry. Sponsors should be lining up.' Founded by TBT Enterprises, which also created The Basketball Tournament, TST has grown from a quirky offseason tournament into a potential model for a fast-paced version of soccer mostly consumed by younger fans. The tournament was unveiled in 2022 with 32 men's teams. TST added the women's tournament in 2024 and doubled the size of the women's side this year, expanding from eight to 16 teams after receiving more than 50 applications. The tournament signed a broadcast deal with ESPN and on the women's side, signed with RBC Wealth Management as the main sponsor. Similar tournaments like the Kings and Queens League in Spain and World Sevens Football have followed in recent years. O'Reilly has had offers to play or coach in other tournaments, but for now, she is loyal to TST, a date she circles in her calendar every year. 'For me, TST is kind of the one time of the year, our annual time to get the band together,' she said. 'I wasn't expecting TST to even be in my life, and now it is. We'll see what the future brings. But it is an interesting idea. I think a lot of people are thinking, maybe this is the future of the sport in some way and that's amazing.'
