Photo: Ali Krieger/Instagram
Ali KriegerandAshlyn Harrisare making the move to the Big Apple!
The two-time World Cup soccer champs, who met at the U.S. women’s national team training in 2010 andmarriedin December 2019, have both been traded from the Orlando Pride to the NJ/NY Gotham FC, according to a teamannouncement, Monday.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ali and Ashlyn to our Gotham FC family,” Head Coach Scott Parkinson said in a statement. “They’ve played and won at the highest level and shown tremendous passion, courage, and leadership on and off the field. They’re special players and, more importantly, special people who will help make this club better.”
Gotham FC also shared the news viaInstagram, alongside a trio of photos of the players, with the caption: “New York’s Best Kept Secret. Welcome to the club@ashlynharris24and@alikrieger👏”
Krieger, 37, spent five years with the Pride as a defender on the field, but the soccer star said she was “honored” and “grateful” for the opportunity to now be a part of Gotham FC.
“I’ve heard great things about the club, its officials, and the knowledgeable coaching staff. I’m eager to gain a new perspective both on and off the field and having a lot of fun as we work to win an NWSL championship,” said Krieger. “I’m ready to give this city everything I have and to start this new journey with my family!”
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Krieger’s Pride teammate and wife Harris, 36, will also be joining the Gotham team, after six years as the Pride’s goalkeeper.
In August, the moms of one were featured inPEOPLE’S Family Issue, where they opened up exclusively about the evolving family dynamic since welcoming 9-month-old daughterSloane Phillips, earlier this year.
RELATED VIDEO: Soccer Stars Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris On Motherhood: “Sloane Has Brought So Much Meaning to Our Lives”
“Family comes first now,” Harris said at the time. “Before, to be the best at what we do, we’ve had to put ourselves first. That’s kind of been our life since we were kids. Now that we have a child, our day just begins when we get home from training. Our life revolves around our child and what she needs and showing up for her in all capacities.”
“[Soccer] has been our getaway, so to speak,” Krieger added. “It’s a place where we can not think about everything else and just focus on playing, but it is difficult because she is in the back of your mind. She’s constantly what we’re thinking about and making sure that she’s safe and okay.”
source: people.com
