Photo by Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports

By CAITLIN MURRAY

Megan Rapinoe will not be joining the U.S. Women’s National Team when it heads overseas next month.

Rapinoe, 29, strained a ligament in her right knee and has left the team’s extended camp to continue her rehabilitation at home, U.S. Soccer announced Monday. Her exit leaves 29 players for the final week of the camp, which started Jan. 5.

Rapinoe’s recovery will take “several weeks,” which apparently rules her out for the USWNT’s first friendlies of the year, Feb. 8 against France in Lorient and Feb. 13 against England in Milton Keynes.

With the Women’s World Cup six months away, Rapinoe is likely to be an important piece of that squad. She has figured heavily into coach Jill Ellis’ recent lineups, even serving in a central playmaker capacity as the hub of the U.S. attack, an unusual role. Rapinoe is normally a wide flank player.

Rapinoe plays for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, which will bring players in for preseason in March.

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What do you think of this news? What does the injury mean for the USWNT? What will Ellis do for next month’s friendlies?

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