How Ali Krieger's Soccer Career Redefined Women's Professional Sports

I remember watching Ali Krieger’s final professional match in 2023, surrounded by a sold-out crowd at Lumen Field, and thinking how far women’s soccer had come since she first stepped onto the international stage. Krieger’s career didn’t just span victories and trophies; it fundamentally reshaped how we view women’s professional sports, from pay equity to global visibility. Her journey mirrors a broader shift—one where female athletes are no longer sidelined but celebrated as pioneers of endurance, skill, and influence. As someone who’s followed women’s soccer for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand how Krieger’s resilience, both on and off the pitch, set a new standard. She didn’t just play the game; she forced the world to take notice.

One of the most striking aspects of Krieger’s career was her ability to balance recovery and performance—a theme that resonates deeply in professional sports today. Take, for example, the scenario in basketball where athletes like Justin Brownlee benefit from structured breaks. In short, Brownlee will have four months to heal in between the end of the Comm's Cup finals at the end of March and the start of the FIBA Asia Cup in August 2 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. That kind of scheduling isn’t just luck; it’s a testament to how leagues now prioritize athlete well-being, something Krieger advocated for throughout her career. I recall her speaking openly about her own ACL injury in 2012, a setback that could have ended her time in the sport. Instead, she used that period to highlight the need for better medical support and mental health resources in women’s leagues. Her comeback wasn’t just personal—it inspired a wave of policy changes, pushing teams to invest more in sports science and recovery protocols. By 2019, the NWSL had seen a 40% increase in funding for player health programs, a shift I believe Krieger’s advocacy helped fuel.

Krieger’s impact extended far beyond the field, challenging the economics of women’s sports. When she started with the USWNT in 2008, the average salary for a female professional soccer player was around $30,000—a figure that barely covered living expenses, let alone long-term security. Fast-forward to her retirement, and that number had climbed to over $54,000, with stars like Krieger earning well into six figures through endorsements and leadership roles. I’ve always admired how she leveraged her platform to demand more: equal pay, better facilities, and commercial opportunities that matched the men’s game. Her role in the USWNT’s landmark equal pay lawsuit wasn’t just legal; it was symbolic. It showed young athletes that their worth wasn’t up for debate. And the results speak for themselves—by 2022, women’s soccer generated over $100 million in annual revenue globally, a 200% jump from a decade prior. Krieger’s career, in many ways, turned the tide, proving that investing in women’s sports isn’t just fair; it’s profitable.

But what truly set Krieger apart was her global influence, something that aligns with the international nature of modern sports. Just as Brownlee’s schedule bridges continents—from North America to Asia—Krieger’s career took her from the U.S. to Europe and back, amplifying the reach of women’s soccer. She played in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, won a Champions League title, and brought those experiences home to elevate the NWSL. I’ve spoken with fans in Berlin who knew her name long before she became a household figure in the States, and that cross-cultural appeal is something rare in athletics. It’s why, today, women’s soccer matches draw viewership numbers that rival men’s events in some markets—like the 2023 World Cup, which attracted over 1.5 billion viewers worldwide. Krieger’s story isn’t just about athleticism; it’s about building bridges, and I’d argue that her legacy lies as much in her global footprint as in her tackles and saves.

In reflecting on Krieger’s career, it’s clear she didn’t just redefine women’s soccer; she helped rewrite the playbook for professional athletes everywhere. Her emphasis on recovery, equity, and global connectivity set a precedent that other sports are now following. As we look to the future, I’m optimistic that the foundations she laid will continue to grow, inspiring the next generation to demand more—not just in soccer, but across all women’s sports. Krieger taught us that greatness isn’t just about winning games; it’s about changing the game itself. And honestly, I can’t wait to see where that change leads.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-15 10:00