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Casey Krueger on soccer, motherhood and self-belief – Equalizer Soccer

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© Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

When Chicago Red Stars defender Casey Krueger found out she was pregnant in late 2021, she had just finished playing her sixth season in the National Women’s Soccer League and her first Olympics with the U.S. women’s national team. She found herself at the crossroads of continuing to play or retiring.

“I need[ed] a mental break and a physical break,” Krueger told The Equlalizer last week. “So, I just removed myself from soccer for a bit, did a little bit of soul searching and thought, ‘Is this something I want to come back from and is this something I can come back from?’”

Krueger soon found her answer: “I still have more to give to the sport.” 

The Equalizer sat down with Krueger to talk about her journey, motherhood, the upcoming year with Chicago and the World Cup.

“I just started to think about my teammates who had gone through this and just seeing their little ones in the stands, cheering them on, and then thinking about my future little one doing that and thinking that’s the coolest feeling in the world and something I absolutely want to do,” she said.

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USL Super League; Gotham at the top of the table – Equalizer Soccer

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Close-up photo of the 2023 NWSL ball


Photo credit: Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Arianna Cascone and Jeff Kassouf discuss the USL Super League’s announcement, and what it means for women’s soccer in the United States, and the NWSL. How will the new league impact expansion and ownership groups in the NWSL? Then, they react to Gotham FC taking the top spot in the standings after a big win over OL Reign, Chicago’s loss to Portland, and more from the weekend in the NWSL.

Listen to this pod on:  Apple  |  Spotify  |  Google Podcasts  |  Stitcher  |  Anchor  |  PodBean  |  Pocket Casts  |  Breaker  |  Overcast  |  RadioPublic

Subscribers: Click below for the ad-free version.

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From worst to (almost) first and (almost) back in Kansas City – Equalizer Soccer

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Photo Copyright Jay Biggerstaff for USA TODAY Sports

The meme of the weekend in another chaotic round of National Women’s Soccer League fixtures was Kansas City Current midfielder Debinha shouting, “f*ck off” at the referee in second-half stoppage time.

Such is life in Kansas City right now.

The Kansas City Current, who made it to the NWSL Championship last year after finishing in last place the prior season, are back near the basement of the NWSL over one-third of the way through the 2023 season. Only the hapless Chicago Red Stars have fewer points (4, to Kansas City’s 6) and have conceded more goals this regular season.

Last week, Kansas City lost to Racing Louisville FC twice in 72 hours, once in the Challenge Cup and once in regular-season play. The Current have lost four straight games in all competitions. All this for the team that made the splashiest offseason acquisition in the league and won a global bidding war to land midfielder Debinha, then reinforced that with several important midfield signings via the league’s first free-agency window.

Salvaging this season will require a stark turnaround.

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Daniela Cruz using first Liga MX Femenil season to prepare for World Cup – Equalizer Soccer

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(Photo Copyright Atlas Femenil FC)

Daniela Cruz found herself in the market for a new club this past winter. She needed to get good, strong competition each week to help prepare for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

That’s how Cruz found Atlas in Liga MX Femenil, the top women’s league in Mexico.

“I’ve been following Liga MX Femenil for a while already. I had some friends and teammates who came here to play,” Cruz said, exclusively to The Equalizer, via Zoom. “Since the beginning, I knew the league was going to grow and grow each year. Mexico has a lot of talent with women playing soccer. I’m really happy for the country to develop such a good league. I wanted to come to Mexico to play because I know the level here is good. I know, with each tournament, there is growth.”

In her first season with Atlas, Cruz has cemented herself as a regular starter, starting 14 of 15 regular-season contests. She and Atlas are currently in the Liguilla, qualifying for the playoffs in seventh place. Cruz stated that the club and her experience in Mexico so far have exceeded her expectations.

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