“This is the right time for me,” remarked Ali Krieger while announcing her retirement from the beautiful game toward the end of 2023. Having served for over a decade, and with even her body beginning to give in, it was only natural for the USWNT veteran to call it quits. But talk about taking a U-turn — the former Gotham FC star returned to the pitch just months later, announcing her participation in the 2024 The Soccer Tournament (TST) — a six-day 7v7 friendly competition featuring men’s and women’s teams respectively.

“I’m only signing up if we win,” she told Heather O’Reilly before committing to contest for a million-dollar prize. The result? Krieger won in her inaugural season, which fueled her to compete in the 2025 expanded edition with 48 men’s and 16 women’s teams.

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