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Krieger & the Spirit Take Over the NWSL’s Top Spot

By Louis Roesch

CHICAGO, IL - JULY 09: Ali Krieger
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 09: Ali Krieger /
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The Carli Lloyd-less Houston Dash dropped a difficult 2-1 decision to the NWSL leading Washington Spirit on Thursday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.

While Lloyd was in New York relaxing and enjoying a 98 Degrees concert, the Houston Dash were battling to save their season.  On the other side of the ledger,  USWNT defender Ali Krieger made the decision that the NWSL and her team were just as important as the national team and to the surprise of few on the Washington side she was in the starting eleven.

“It was so important to be here,” said Krieger following the Spirit’s win. “I think every game matters, we want to win the championship and I wanted to be here if I could.”

Washington (10-2-3, 38 points) claimed sole possession of first place in the NWSL standings with the win.  The Spirit had been tied with Portland FC heading into this weekend’s slate of matches.

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The veteran’s demeanor on and off the field spoke volumes about how and why she was in Houston for this Thursday night win when others weren’t.   Last Friday, the USWNT was ousted unexpectedly by Sweden and yet here was Krieger back on the pitch before the unspoken rule of a seven day rest period had elapsed for U.S.players.

“Yea, there was about a seven day period. We start back on Monday, but I obviously didn’t play as much as maybe some of the other players did and it kind of is to each their own. I felt good about it, I talked to my fitness trainer and obviously D.C. and I’m the captain of the team and I feel like as a leader, I need to support this team and be here and play. When I played in Germany, we would only have three or four days off and I treat this League as important as the National Team and I think my being here really helps out. I really wanted to be a part of it. I want to be a part of the success here and hopefully win the championship.”

Not only did the 32 year old show but she played the full 90 and was tasked with keeping Kealia Ohai, Houston’s top scorer in check and for most of the game she kept pace.

The Dash trailed 2-0 late in the match on a brace from midfielder Christine Nairn before Ohai slipped away from Krieger just long enough to net her team leading fourth goal of the season in the 90th minute.  The tally matches the young forward’s career high in goals set in both 2014 and 2015 drawing praise from the Spirit captain.

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 23: Kaylyn Kyle
ORLANDO, FL – APRIL 23: Kaylyn Kyle /

“She’s incredible. She’s a younger player, but she’s also a leader on the team,” said Kriger when asked about the challenges of facing a player like Ohai.  “She’s stepped into that role tremendously. Obviously you want to play against the best players in the League and she’s one of them. So going against her makes me better because she challenges me. She’s just so quick, running behind, receiving the ball at her feet and being able to turn and shoot. She loves to cut inside and shoot and so I think playing against players like that can only make me better. Obviously she’s a leader for their team and really helps them out on the field. You could see that with the success in the final third. She’s a huge part of that.”

The loss for all intent and purpose ends what has been a difficult season for the Houston Dash (3-8-3,12 points).  With six games remaining the team is 13 points back from the fourth and final playoff spot.

Houston returns to action on Saturday night August 27, 2016 traveling to Rhinos Stadium to take on the Western New York Flash.

Washington faces the Pride on the road in Orlando on Friday night August 26, 2016.

*NWSL unavailable for comment on USWNT policy regarding the return of NWSL players to their teams

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