NWSL: Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris could join Gotham FC according to close sources

According to a report by Meg Linehan of The Athletic, central defender Ali Kieger and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris are on the verge of transferring to NY/NJ Gotham FC, leaving their current team, the Orlando Pride, which would be a surprise for the NWSL.

Although the transfer has not been confirmed so far, this possibility is very real due to, among other things, to the extended trade window ahead of the NWSL expansion draft, which is set to welcome the two incoming California clubs, Angel City FC and San Diego Wave FC.

Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris's numbers at Orlando Pride 

As a goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris has excelled in providing her team with solid goalkeeping protection.

To date, she has made 89 appearances in all competitions since 2016, logging 7,923 minutes.

The goalkeeper has only allowed 135 goals on 456 shots against, for a goals-against average of 1.53 for the Orlando Pride.

And the more time she's spending, the more experience she's gaining to better approach games.

So far, his record for the team is 25-38-17. And those numbers could continue to rise if the transfer doesn't go through. But this looks very difficult.

Her partner on the field and now, in life, Ali Krieger came to the Pride in the month of November 2016 and so far has played 86 games for the club.

With this number, she has become the second player with the most games played for Orlando in the NWSL, behind only Harris.

Her minutes on the pitch and passes speak for her: she has logged 7,603 minutes and provided seven assists as a right back and center back.

Why would they go to Gotham FC?

Regardless of what one may comment about these changes, the reality is that it is all due to Orlando's need for a healthy generational change.

If the players leave for Gotham FC, this would be the first step in rebuilding the team.

Orlando Pride needs to revamp the core of its team, and Ashlyn Harris (36 years old) and Ali Krieger (37) are two of the players that with their move, if made, will help the institution consolidate this generational change.

The fact that they are being traded together is not a surprise, as the two are expected to continue to play together, no matter which team they go to.

Was this a good move for Orlando Pride? The answer is still unknown because it is not yet known what the team will receive in return.

But it is understood that the priority is to get younger players to strengthen the team for the upcoming tournament.

Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris: teammates, partners in life and accomplishments

But if there is one thing there is no doubt about, it is the quality of Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger as players in the NWSL.

This year, for example, Harris was recognized as one of the most influential athletes in the world, only behind Simon Biles and Naomi Osaka. 

Why did she earn this recognition? Probably because she won the last two World Cups with the U.S. National Team.

And her wife and teammate Ali Krieger, was is ranked seventh in that list.

In their quest for a younger roster, the Orlando Pride could ask for either of Gotham FC's current goalkeepers, Kailen Sheridan or DiDi Haracic, 26 and 29 years old respectively, in a trade. If Orlando succeeds in this transfer, they could head into the next NWSL tournament as planned.