Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris will be two of the out LGBTQ athletes representing the United States in the Women’s World Cup in June. They also hold another distinction as a couple in a long-term relationship and engaged to marry.
They may be the first publicly out engaged or married couple to play on the same national team for the United States. Krieger and Harris publicly announced their engagement to marry earlier this year. It has been rumored for years that the two were in a long-term relationship.
At the 2016 Summer Olympics, married field hockey players Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh represented Great Britain together in Rio. Together they won gold, beating the Netherlands in the final.
Megan Rapinoe will be joining Krieger and Harris on the USWNT. This will be Rapinoe’s third Women’s World Cup. Rapinoe came out publicly in 2012 and is, at last report, dating U.S. women’s basketball player Sue Bird.
Head coach Jill Ellis is also out.
The Women’s World Cup kicks off with a match between host France and South Korea on June 7. The United States begins group play against Thailand on June 11.
You can follow all the Women’s World Cup news on SB Nation and at All For XI.
