NWSL teams have been without their Olympians since training camps opened in early July, but with the U.S. team ousted, the marquee players are returning home earlier than expected. After seven weeks on international assignment, they have been granted time off until the schedule resumes in earnest next weekend.

However, Spirit defender Ali Krieger is planning to meet the club in Houston today after a short vacation with family in Florida. Coach Jim Gabarra will consult with her about potential playing time in her first game with the Spirit since June 25.

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Spirit and U.S. teammate Crystal Dunn, who remained in Brazil with family after the quarterfinal defeat to Sweden last Friday in Brasilia, returned home Tuesday and won’t travel to Houston.

A Dash spokesman said U.S. midfielders Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian are taking time off, as well.

Krieger started one Olympic match and entered as a sub in another. Dunn started two and came off the bench twice; she scored against Colombia. Lloyd and Brian started all four matches.

Both the Spirit and Dash remain without several active Olympians: Washington’s Stephanie Labbe, Shelina Zadorsky and Diana Matheson and Houston’s Janine Beckie and Allysha Chapman are preparing for Canada’s bronze medal match against Brazil on Friday. Brazil’s Andressa and Poliana are also employed by the Dash. Houston goalkeeper Lydia Williams is on break after Australia’s quarterfinal elimination.

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Because of the absences, Houston has called up five amateur players, including two goalkeepers. (The Spirit summoned two players.)

Washington’s Canadian players are likely to skip the Aug. 26 trip to Orlando and return Sept. 3 against the Western New York Flash at Maryland SoccerPlex.

Meantime, the Spirit is preparing for the stretch run without one of its most influential players, Argentine attack Estafania Banini. A knee injury — chondral cartilage defect — will sideline her for at least several weeks. Banini has scored all of her team-high five goals in the past seven matches and was named NWSL player of the month for July.

The Spirit (9-3-2) is even with the Portland Thorns (8-2-5) atop the standings with 29 points apiece and has played one fewer match.

Four teams will advance to the playoffs in late September.