Current contract prevents local product from signing
Ali Krieger, one of three players allocated in September to the Washington Freedom for Women’s Professional Soccer’s inaugural season in 2009, will not join WPS until 2010, due to a contract extension that will keep her with German club FFC Frankfurt through 2009-10.
“I had to really think about my career and what was best for me,” said Krieger. “I know that what is also best is helping my own country and our own league. But it was proper for me stay one last year, and then come home for a whole year before the [2011] World Cup.”
The 24-year-old from Dumfries, Va., who has made two appearances for the U.S. national team, might still be loaned to the Freedom this summer, joining other allocated U.S. stars Abby Wambach and Cat Whitehill.
Krieger’s availability to WPS was a concern before the allocation process because she was under contract. Krieger could not speak directly with anyone from the Freedom, but WPS insisted she provide a list of three preferred destination cities.
“That was really tough because they had no clue that I was re-signing,” said Krieger. “They were under the impression that I was coming back, so I felt bad, in a way.”
The Freedom had believed they’d be able to start negotiating her transfer this spring, when the contract she was under came within six months of expiring. However, Krieger was in the midst of lengthening her European stay another year.
“It was one of those situations where we valued her and the possibility of having her,” said Freedom head coach Jim Gabarra, who initially was surprised about the extension. Had he known, “In all fairness, we might still have taken her.”
Note » WPS announced that its inaugural match will take place on Sunday, March 29, featuring the Freedom against the L.A. Sol at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The Freedom will play their first home game April 11 against Chicago.
