Chicago Red Stars defender and Naperville, IL native, Casey Krueger, earned the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today.  

Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added time at the end of the Chicago Red Stars versus Racing Louisville FC match, Louisville’s Thembi Kgatlana received a pass that put the forward behind Chicago’s backline. Kgatlana took a shot that was disrupted by a charging Alyssa Naeher, though the ball still looked to be headed for goal. The ball would have tied the match 1-1 if it were not for Casey Krueger who sprinted back on tired legs, and after playing 90 minutes, to make a well-timed slide tackle and send the ball out of play. Krueger’s quick thinking saved the clean sheet and secured three points for Chicago to keep their playoff hopes alive.  

The save by Krueger capped another stellar performance by the defender. In that match, Krueger also had three successful tackles, created two chances at goal, had a shot at goal and attempted a cross into Louisville’s 18-yard box.  

The NWSL’s Impact Save of the Week is Krueger’s third league honor in as many months. Early on in August, Krueger was named the NWSL’s Player of the Week. To cap an exceptional month of August for the defender, Krueger was named to the league’s Best XI for the month of August. 

Krueger is the second field player in Red Stars history to receive Save of the Week honors (Danielle Colaprico, 2017).