Krieger embraces new role as Lions’ analyst
Less than 24 hours after playing every minute of the Orlando Pride’s second match of the NWSL Fall Series, defender Ali Krieger got back to work.
Krieger led the Pride backline in clearances against NWSL Challenge Cup champion Houston Dash, then woke up at 4:30 a.m. on Sunday to catch a flight back to Orlando.
There wasn’t time to pause — she had another match that night. This time, however, Krieger was in a studio, serving as an analyst for the Orlando City broadcast team.
When Krieger took the gig in
August, she knew it could lead to this type of hectic turnaround. But in a year filled with difficulty on and off the pitch for the Pride, Krieger said broadcast work has been a welcomed challenge.
“It’s actually been really fun,” Krieger said. “I’ve taken on this role because it’s actually been enjoyable to do something else through this really difficult time. It’s taken my mind off of all the tough things that have been going on, and I can just go and feel free and talk soccer.”
Krieger joins broadcasters Miguel Gallardo and Evan Weston for each of the Lions’ broad
casts on WRBW-Channel 65, some of which are picked up to stream nationally on ESPN+.
When Orlando City is on the road, Krieger fills the role of an analyst. A former goalkeeper for Orlando City, Gallardo often dissects defensive plays with Krieger when she’s in the booth.
But when the Lions are at home, Krieger spends the match on the sideline, interviewing players and coach Oscar Pareja on camera. Although the defender has been interviewed throughout her career, sideline commentary was new for Krieger.
“I can definitely do it, but focusing on the question that you’re having to ask on the fly is something that I haven’t really had to do,” Krieger said. “Analyzing, that’s like so easy for me. But the sideline reporting has been tough. Everything’s live, so it’s in the moment and off the cuff. That’s been a new experience for me, but the more practice, the better it gets.”
Krieger’s position has also led to Pride getting featured regularly during Orlando City’s pregame show.
Sunday’s broadcast included highlight packages from the NWSL Fall Series. In the first half, Gallardo compared keeper Pedro Gallese to Krieger’s teammate and wife, Ashlyn Harris, after making a major save.
For Krieger, the position provides a fresh way to approach soccer. In addition to studying Pride opponents, Krieger is studying Orlando City.
She said her experience as a player informs her analysis on the broadcast, and vice versa.
“I really love to have those different opportunities, Krieger said. “At home, we don’t talk football a lot. I think having a different perspective for the broadcast has been key.”
With a goal of transitioning to broadcast work after she retires from soccer, Krieger said the new role with Orlando City couldn’t have come at a better time. It also provided a productive distraction during a challenging year for the Pride.
During the coronavirus shutdown, withdrawal from the NWSL Challenge Cup due to COVID-19 test results and extensive training for what turned out to be limited matches, Krieger said she has felt pressure as a veteran and team leader.
“I can’t lie, it’s been a bit draining through this process,” Krieger said. “This is my third preseason of the year and that’s really tough at any stage of your career. Just because I’m a vet doesn’t mean I don’t have those moments where it’s a tough situation.”
Before their first match of the NWSL Fall Series, the Pride hadn’t played a match in nearly a year. During that span, Krieger said it was up to each player to find ways to grow and improve.
Harris and Krieger put together a gym in their home and took up cycling to stay fit during shutdowns. For Krieger, the time was funneled into focusing on areas of her fitness and footwork that sometimes get lost during the regular season or tournament play.
“It’s allowed me to focus on a lot of the things I need to focus on individually and really nail those down,” Krieger said. “I’m focusing on things that I can control, and that’s my attitude and my work ethic. I know that I can control those two things.”
When 12 Pride players were loaned to international clubs for the remainder of 2020, it left a group of six veterans in Orlando — Krieger, Harris, Toni Pressley, Kristen Edmonds, Marta and Sydney Leroux. The group has shouldered the burden of bringing young additions up to speed.
With short-term contract players starting training a few weeks before their first game, Krieger and her teammates were still learning names as they got to know each other on the pitch.
Despite the challenge, Krieger says the extended time away from the matches has helped her refocus on enjoying the game every time she plays, whether on the training pitch or in a competitive match.
“It’s been really tough,” Krieger said. “But this is one of those moments where I have to even dig deeper because I’m in front of those kids and the younger players, I have to be strong. … It has been really tough, but honestly, it’s just about having fun and getting back out on the field.”