AUSTIN, Texas — The US defeated Eire 2-0 on Saturday in a tuneup for the Girls’s World Cup however misplaced its prime scorer this yr when ahead Mallory Swanson went down with what gave the impression to be a severe harm to her left knee late within the first half.
Within the fortieth minute, Swanson, 24, took a go on the left wing, turned upfield and was challenged by the Irish defender Aoife Mannion. No foul was referred to as, however Swanson fell, crying in ache and grabbing the again of her left knee. A number of teammates consoled her.
She was positioned on a stretcher together with her knee immobilized and made a coronary heart signal together with her arms whereas being carted off the sector. She was taken to a hospital, in accordance with a spokesman for the U.S. Soccer Federation.
If Swanson doesn’t get well in time for the World Cup event, which is slated to be performed in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20, it may deal a heavy blow to america’ hopes of successful a 3rd consecutive world championship.
“We don’t know the extent of the harm but,” Coach Vlatko Andonovski stated after the match. “I’m hoping for excellent news within the close to future.”
As Swanson left the stadium, Andonovski stated she informed him with a smile, “Coach, I’ll be good. I promise I’ll be good.”
Andonovski stated he replied, “You’re stronger than me.”
Within the twenty fourth minute, Mannion had nudged Swanson into Eire’s goalkeeper, and Swanson remained down for a number of minutes earlier than resuming play. However this time, she didn’t stand up and was changed by Trinity Rodman.
Swanson had already scored seven objectives in 5 video games this calendar yr, and in six consecutive video games general. She had been ascendant after being left off america group for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, an omission she referred to as crushing. She acknowledged that she fell adrift for a time.
The People traditionally have been resourceful in changing injured gamers. The star ahead Abby Wambach broke the tibia and fibula in her left leg earlier than the 2008 Beijing Olympics, however america received the gold medal with out her.
The primary aim of Saturday’s match was scored within the thirty seventh minute by defender Emily Fox, who drove a low shot contained in the left publish from exterior the penalty space. It was her first aim in 28 appearances for the nationwide group. Within the eightieth minute, midfielder Lindsey Horan prolonged america’ result in 2-0 on a penalty kick.
Within the 68th minute, midfielder Julie Ertz entered the match, making her first look for america because the Tokyo Olympics after giving start to a son final August. 4 minutes later, she drew a yellow card. If Ertz regains full health, she would offer a lot wanted grit within the defensive midfield.
The US and Eire will play once more on Tuesday in St. Louis, the final American match earlier than its 23-player World Cup roster is introduced. The US will face Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal in group play within the event.
Supply: NY Times
