Casey Krueger Bio
Casey Marie Krueger, born August 23, 1990, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a left back for the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League and the United States national team. Krueger played collegiately for the Florida State Seminoles and was the fifth overall pick in the 2013 NWSL College Draft. She earned two NWSL Best XI selections during her time in the league and has been a steady presence on the U.S. international stage since her senior debut in 2016.
Internationally, Krueger has won two Olympic medals with the United States, a bronze at Tokyo 2020 and a gold at Paris 2024. She also helped the U.S. lift the 2018 CONCACAF W Championship and the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, establishing herself as one of the most reliable defenders in the program.
Early Life and Background
Casey Marie Krueger was born on August 23, 1990, in Naperville, Illinois, and was raised there by her parents, Kerrwin Short and LeeShelle Short. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs gave her early access to a strong youth soccer scene, and she attended Naperville Central High School, where she excelled in the classroom and on the field. She earned 4.0 honor roll recognition and was named an Illinois State Scholar, balancing academics with a demanding athletic schedule.
At Naperville Central, Krueger helped her team to four Illinois state cup championships and was a two-time NSCAA/adidas Youth All-American. She was also named a PARADE All-American in 2008 and was rated a top soccer recruit by the Chicago Sun-Times. In addition to soccer, she ran track and won three state championships, including two in the 800 meters and one in the 400 meters, becoming the first girl in Illinois history to win both events in Class AA in the same year.
Krueger played her youth club soccer with the Chicago Magic and, in 2009, suited up for the Chicago Red Eleven of the USL W-League to gain experience against older competition. Those formative years in Illinois set the foundation for her future move to one of the top college programs in the country.
Path to Soccer
After finishing high school as one of the most decorated soccer players in Illinois, Krueger committed to Florida State University, where she joined the Florida State Seminoles women’s soccer program in 2008. She stepped in immediately as a freshman, starting 18 of 23 matches and tying for third on the team with six assists, including a brace in the season opener against the University of Central Florida. That debut season showed she belonged at the highest level of college soccer.
Over the next four years at Florida State, Krueger developed into one of the most complete defenders in the ACC, earning All-ACC Second Team honors in 2010 and 2012. She finished her career tied for the school record in assists in ACC games and was recognized as an NSCAA Southeast All-Region First Team selection in her senior year. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a minor in Sociology and later completed a master’s degree in Sports Management.
Krueger’s profile grew throughout her college career, and she was selected fifth overall by the Boston Breakers in the 2013 NWSL College Draft. Setbacks with knee injuries kept her off the field during her first two professional seasons, but her work in the U.S. youth national team system and at Florida State kept her on the radar of professional clubs.
Casey Krueger Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Krueger’s early professional years were marked by perseverance through injuries. Selected fifth overall by the Boston Breakers in the 2013 NWSL College Draft, she did not play for the club due to a season-ending knee injury, and a similar setback prevented her from featuring for the Chicago Red Stars in 2014 after she was acquired by the team ahead of that season. Rather than rush her return, she chose to rebuild her career abroad.
In 2015, Krueger signed with Avaldsnes IL of the Norwegian Toppserien and enjoyed a strong campaign, earning recognition as one of the Top XI players in the league at the 2015 NISO Awards. That successful stint in Norway helped her regain full fitness and confidence, setting the stage for her long run as a starter in the NWSL.
Chicago Red Stars Breakthrough (2016–2023)
Following her year in Norway, the Chicago Red Stars signed Krueger ahead of the 2016 NWSL season, and she immediately became a fixture in the back line. She started every match of the 2016 campaign and scored two goals, earning a place on the league’s Second XI team. Her consistency, defensive awareness, and ability to join the attack made her a key part of the Red Stars’ identity.
In 2017, Krueger elevated her game further, appearing in 22 regular-season matches and earning NWSL Team of the Month honors in May, June, and July. She was named to the 2017 NWSL Best XI and was nominated for Defender of the Year. She remained a leader at the back for the Red Stars in 2018 despite missing the first 10 games of the NWSL season after an ankle injury suffered at the 2018 SheBelieves Cup, and in 2019 she earned another Defender of the Year nomination.
Across eight seasons with the Chicago Red Stars, Krueger became synonymous with the club’s rise as one of the NWSL’s most competitive sides. Her two-way play as a left back helped anchor defenses and provided a consistent outlet in possession, and her two Best XI selections reflected her standing among the league’s elite defenders during that span.
Washington Spirit Era (2024–Present)
In January 2024, Krueger concluded her long tenure with the Red Stars and signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit, signaling a new chapter in her professional career. The move paired her veteran experience with a young, ambitious Spirit squad looking to compete for championships. She transitioned quickly into the team’s defensive structure and brought her trademark reliability to the left back position.
Krueger’s 2024 campaign with the Spirit was a success on multiple fronts. She was a regular contributor at the club level while continuing to feature prominently for the U.S. national team, including selection for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup and the 2024 Olympic squad in Paris. Her role with the Spirit gave her a strong platform heading into the next phase of her career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Krueger is widely recognized for her composure on the ball, tactical intelligence, and two-way reliability as a left back. She is comfortable stepping into the attack to deliver crosses and overlaps with midfielders, yet she remains disciplined in defensive shape and strong in one-on-one defending. Her reading of the game, combined with consistent fitness and a willingness to join the attack, has made her a trusted figure for coaches at both the club and international level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Krueger’s most significant moments are her 2016 senior debut for the United States against Switzerland, her back-to-back NWSL Best XI honors, and her Olympic appearances in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. She helped the U.S. win the 2018 CONCACAF W Championship and the inaugural 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, and she appeared as a substitute in the 2024 Olympic gold medal match against Brazil, which the United States won 1-0. Her two Defender of the Year nominations further underscore her standing among the league’s top defenders.
Casey Krueger Career Wins
Throughout her career, Casey Krueger has built a résumé defined by team success and individual recognition. With the U.S. national team, she has won an Olympic bronze medal in 2020 and an Olympic gold medal in 2024, along with the 2018 CONCACAF W Championship and the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup. At the club level, she earned two NWSL Best XI selections, one NWSL Second XI selection, and a Top XI honor in the Norwegian Toppserien.
Chicago Red Stars Highlights
During her eight seasons with the Chicago Red Stars from 2016 to 2023, Krueger was a model of consistency at left back, missing significant time only when injured. She was named to the 2017 NWSL Best XI after logging 22 regular-season appearances and earning three Team of the Month honors, and she added a Second XI selection in her 2016 debut year with the club. Her two Defender of the Year nominations in 2017 and 2019 reflected her importance to a Red Stars side that regularly challenged for top spots in the league.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her NWSL work, Krueger earned Top XI honors in the Norwegian Toppserien in 2015 during her season with Avaldsnes IL, a campaign that helped revive her professional career. She also represented the United States at multiple youth levels, including the under-20 squad at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany, laying the groundwork for her eventual senior breakthrough in 2016.
Casey Krueger Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Krueger was raised in Naperville, Illinois, by her parents, Kerrwin Short and LeeShelle Short, who supported her path in both soccer and track. Her athletic upbringing in the Chicago suburbs helped shape her competitive drive and introduced her to the youth soccer community around the Chicago Magic and Naperville Central High School.
Personal Life
In May 2020, Krueger announced her engagement to Cody Krueger, an emergency medicine physician, and the couple married on December 5, 2020. In December 2021, she announced that she was pregnant with their first child, and in July 2022 she gave birth to a son named Caleb. The family has remained a central part of her life as she has continued her career with the Washington Spirit and the U.S. national team.
2025 Season Performance
Casey Krueger enters 2025 in her second season with the Washington Spirit under the multi-year deal she signed in January 2024. Coming off an Olympic gold medal in Paris and a CONCACAF W Gold Cup title earlier in 2024, she remains a veteran presence in a young Spirit back line. Her experience is expected to be central to the team’s defensive organization and its push for another deep run in the NWSL playoffs.
At the international level, Krueger is expected to remain part of the U.S. national team picture as the program builds toward upcoming competitions. Her combination of leadership, fitness, and positional versatility gives the coaching staff flexibility in how they deploy the back line. Continued strong performances at club level would likely keep her firmly in contention for future call-ups.
For 2025, the outlook around Krueger centers on her role as a stabilizing veteran for the Washington Spirit and a trusted option for the U.S. national team. With a full preseason in Washington now under her belt, she is positioned to maintain her high standard of play, mentor younger defenders, and contribute to championship ambitions on both fronts.