Nov. 27, 2010
BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Penn State women's soccer alum Ali Krieger, class of 2007, came on as a substitute in both matches of a playoff against Italy as the United State women's national team qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2011 in Germany next summer. The U.S. defeated Italy 2-0 on aggregate after a 1-0 win in Chicago on Saturday afternoon.
Krieger, one of 11 Penn State All-Americans, has been with the full U.S. squad since the previous winter through the summer friendlies and CONCACAF World Cup qualifying in Mexico last month. The United States failed to grab one of the two CONCACAF automatic bids to the World Cup, setting up a two-legged playoff with the Italians this past week.
Last weekend, Krieger came on in the closing minutes and helped the U.S. come away with a shock 1-0 win as Alex Morgan scored the game-winner seconds before the final whistle in Padova, Italy. Today, the defender again came on in the late stages to seal the win and the U.S. progress to the World Cup. Krieger is Penn State's only All-American to receive honors at two separate positions, earning NSCAA First Team mention in 2005 as a midfielder and then again in 2006, but as a defender.
The draw for the 2011 edition for the highest trophy in women's soccer will take place at 1:25 p.m. ET from Germany. The event will be televised on ESPN3.com. The final World Cup roster won't be selected until the spring of 2011.
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--NITTANY LIONS--