Defender Ali Krieger returns to the US women’s national team

CHICAGO (AP) — Defender Ali Krieger has returned to the U.S. women’s national team for the first time since 2017.

Krieger was named to the team’s roster Thursday for exhibition matches against Australia and Belgium as the team prepares for the World Cup in France starting in June.

She has not played for the United States since a game against Russia on April 6, 2017. Her last call-up to the team was for the Tournament of Nations in the summer of 2017.

Krieger, a veteran of the 2015 World Cup championship team, will help shore up the team’s defense in the absence of Kelley O’Hara, who was left off the roster because of an ankle injury.

Coach Jill Ellis named 24 players to the roster. In addition to Krieger, Lindsey Horan returns after missing the SheBelieves Cup because of a quad injury.

The United States plays Australia on April 4 in Commerce City, Colorado, before facing Belgium in Los Angeles on April 7.