71. Ali Krieger

The timeless Ali Krieger may be coming towards the back end of an illustrious playing career, but she’s playing a key role in the emergence of Orlando Pride as a genuine NWSL contender.

Less than 12 months on from her move to Florida, the 33-year-old impressively played every single minute of a campaign which saw the Pride make it to the end of season play-offs for the first time.

It ended in disappointment and a thumping 4-1 defeat to eventual winners Portland Thorns, but Krieger has consistently proven she’s still got plenty left in tank.

Krieger chipped in with a couple of assists and her experience will still prove invaluable when the Pride kick off again for another shot at glory in 2018.

Tom Sermanni, Orlando Pride manager says:

“The first thing is that she brings a lot of what I could call ‘team qualities’ to the team. She’s a great organizer, she’s very disciplined, she’s defensively very strong. She has a quality of being able to demand the best out of everybody around about her but such a way that they respond to it in a positive way. She has got great physical qualities and, generally, putting it all together the big attribute she brings to the team is leadership.”

Whitney Engen, former team mate and USA international says:

“Ali is an incredibly smart and solid defender. As she has proven, she is capable of playing in any position on the back line which makes her an extremely valuable asset for any team. I was fortunate to play along side Ali in many practices and games, and her consistency and ability to start the teams offense from the back line always impressed me. I always loved playing next to her as she often made my job very easy!

 

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⇐ 72. Meghan Klingenberg

70. Caitlin Foord ⇒

Top 100 Women’s Footballers of 2017 – Results