Casey Krueger was a little girl when the U.S. women’s national team won the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
That championship sparked a burst of interest in women’s soccer and planted a seed in Krueger’s mind. One day, the Naperville native thought, maybe she could play in the World Cup or Olympics.
“The dream always existed and was something I wanted ever since I started watching the ’99ers and was inspired by them,” Krueger said. “The dream sort of became a possibility as I started getting called into youth national team camps and working my way up.
“There were certainly ups and downs along the way, but it’s something I’ve always dreamed of — to play on the world’s biggest stage and represent our country.”
Two decades later, on a hot July day in Japan, that dream became a reality for the longtime Chicago Red Stars standout. Krueger entered as a substitute in the 84th minute of a group stage game against New Zealand at Saitama Stadium in Tokyo.
Krueger was on the field as the U.S. scored its final two goals in a 6-1 victory.
“That was kind of an unbelievable moment,” Krueger said. “I was warming up most of the second half and didn’t know if I was going to get the chance or not.
“I was able to step on the field and get that moment. Even though it was maybe 10 minutes, it was the coolest experience of my life and one I will truly never forget.”
The last nine months also have been unforgettable for Krueger, 31, the former Naperville Central and Florida State star who overcame three torn ACLs to become a world-class defender. She has made 36 appearances for the U.S. national team.
In December, Krueger married her husband Cory, an emergency medicine physician in Chicago. They now live in Crown Point, Indiana, with their dog, a goldendoodle named Freddy.
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Krueger, who barely missed making the 2019 World Cup team, wasn’t expecting to be on the Olympic team for Toyko. Then she got invited to the training camp for the SheBelieves Cup.
“It kind of reopened that Olympic dream a little bit,” Krueger said. “But I didn’t get called into the next couple camps, so I kind of let go of that dream again.
“It was a big surprise when I found out I was going to Tokyo.”
Only 18 of the 22 players on the Olympic roster were allowed to dress for games. Krueger dressed for three of the six games, including the 1-0 semifinal loss to Canada, but her only appearance was against New Zealand.
The U.S. won the bronze medal by beating Australia 4-3.
“Being able to put that medal on was an unbelievable moment,” Krueger said. “Just to say I’m an Olympian and I’m a medalist is the coolest thing in the world, especially given I didn’t even expect to be there.”
Naperville Central coach Ed Watson is proud of Krueger.
“I’m so happy for her,” Watson said. “For her to get the opportunity to represent us in the Olympics, it’s just rewards for a player who has worked so hard and has gone through so much.”
Watson and assistant coach Barry Baldwin keep in touch with Krueger. Baldwin even bought tickets to the 2019 World Cup final in France, expecting Krueger to be on the team.
“They are just incredibly supportive,” Krueger said. “They are always coming to games or sending me messages.
“I graduated I don’t know how many years ago, and they’re still supporting me, so I’m very thankful for that.”
No fans were allowed to attend the Olympics due to COVID-19 restrictions. That didn’t stop Krueger from enjoying the experience.
“I didn’t have any expectations because it was my first Olympics,” Krueger said. “But it was definitely very bizarre walking into this giant, beautiful stadium that first game against Sweden and it was silent.
“It was a huge world stage, and the lack of energy definitely took some adjusting to get used to, but it was pretty cool by the end.”
Krueger doesn’t know whether she will get to play in another Olympics. If not, Tokyo was a great exclamation point.
“It is sort of a culmination of her life’s work,” Watson said. “It seems funny because she’s still a young woman and has a long life ahead of her.
“But in terms of her soccer life, that opportunity to be on the field for the national team in the Olympics has to be a culmination for her.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.