Dupage Policy Journal

Chicago Red Stars defender and Naperville native Casey Krueger has been named an alternate for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT).

Thanks to 22 players being allowed on the main roster for each team participating in the Tokyo Olympics, Krueger officially became a full member of the USWNT.

Kruger will only be eligible if a teammate gets injured, however, that hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm and she said that she'd be ready to go if called upon.

“I’m incredibly excited about the news,” said Krueger in a statement released by the team. “With that said, my mindset doesn’t change. I’m grateful for this opportunity and no matter what role I’m asked to play, I’ll do anything and everything I can to help the team be successful.”

Krueger will be one of four members of the Red Stars to be on the USWNT team for the games, joining goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, midfielder Julie Ertz, and defender Tierna Davidson. Head athletic trainer Emily Fortunato will also be with the team in Tokyo as well.

Kruger, who has been with the Red Stars since 2016, was a star at Naperville Central High School and then proceeded to do the same at Florida State University before starting her career in the National Women’s Soccer League.

She is also no stranger to international games, making 34 appearances with the national team and picking up three assists in those contests.

The USWNT have made it to the knockout stage of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The compelling quarterfinal matchup will feature the U.S. Women’s National Team going up against the Netherlands on July 30 at the International Stadium Yokohama.

The match will kick off at 6 a.m. CT and will be available for viewing in the United States on NBCSN and Telemundo, along with streaming coverage also available through NBCOlympics.com and through the Telemundo Deportes App.