Since her national team career blossomed some 8½ years ago, Ali Krieger has made close to 100 appearances, celebrated a World Cup championship and experienced World Cup heartbreak. There have been trips to almost every corner of the planet, rousing welcomes at sold-out home venues and a ticker-tape parade down Broadway.
Until now, though, one conspicuous item remained missing from her otherwise spotless portfolio: the Olympics.
A week after celebrating her 32nd birthday, the Prince William County native is in Brazil with the top-ranked Americans, who on Wednesday will begin their quest for a fourth consecutive gold medal by facing New Zealand in group play in Belo Horizonte.