Last offseason marked the NWSL’s first free agency period yet the only players the Spirit managed to secure were their own free agents. Keeping players can be just as important as luring new ones, but another offseason of the same would’ve been disappointing. Thankfully, today Meg Linehan of The Athletic reported that the Spirit are ‘close to signing’ free agent fullback Casey Krueger.

The report doesn’t give much detail beyond two sources claiming the deal is close but noting that, as of reporting, no paperwork had been completed, but ‘is in process.’

There’s been a flurry of NWSL news the past few days, suggesting that the 2024 salary cap has indeed jumped due to the lucrative new media deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION. This also means that the NWSL’s metaphorical (and possibly actual) fax machine is sparking and sputtering its way through the bevy of deals being processed, so it could just be a matter of time before she’s officially announced.

If it gets across the line, it’d secure one of the best players available at a position of need. With Dorian Bailey now with Bay FC, it was important to find a starting right back. Beyond that, however, the Spirit needed to upgrade the position anyway. Bailey was solid in the role, but is more comfortable in midfield. Krueger provides the rare combination of defensive solidity and attacking prowess.

Modern fullbacks are all trying to balance being a viable and dangerous outlet in possession with being a capable defender both positionally and 1v1. It’s a tough task given how frequently possession changes, but don’t let the Chicago Red Stars’ no good very bad season fool you, Casey Krueger excels at both. In fact, if the Red Stars had been fighting for a playoff spot rather than bottom of the table, she would’ve been on the shortlist for defender of the year.

The standout number here is Krueger’s tackle percentage when facing a dribble, which is a stratospheric 96%, compared to the league average of 66. She’s also extraordinary in the air (winning 87% of her aerial duels), is a quality passer and crosser, and can carry the ball forward through pressure. Krueger ended the year with five assists in all competitions, two more than the highest Spirit players according to FBref (3; Hatch, Bailey, Silano).

The rumors of Washington Spirit powers-that-be wanting a more attractive, possession-based style have been underscored by the only two bits of news about the club’s offseason recruitment. Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez being lined up as next Spirit coach is a flashing neon sign, and so would be the signing of Casey Krueger.

While Krueger had one of her best individual seasons – earning callups to the national team and performing well in international competition – she turned 33 in August and is unlikely to be a four- or five-year solution at the position. However, she doesn’t need to be. Not only is there a vacancy at right back right now, the Spirit have a need for her specific skillsets, including veteran leadership. There might not be an available player more capable of checking those boxes than Casey Krueger.

Also, Krueger played college soccer at Florida State, which would keep Mark Krikorian’s streak of signing former FSU players alive (Carle, Jaurena).