U.S. Women’s National Team supporters are holding their collective breath this Saturday after Carli Lloyd went down with an apparent right knee injury in the Orlando Pride’s home opener against the Houston Dash.
The FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year was forced out of the Pride’s first home game of the NWSL season with a knee injury, and she is reportedly scheduled to have an MRI on her knee on Sunday.
Lloyd suffered the injury in the fourth minute of Saturday’s 3-1 win for the Pride after lifting her leg up to block an Orlando Pride clearance and hitting the ground in pain after the ball was struck into her leg. The 33-year-old attempted to play through the pain, but she was subbed off approximately 10 minutes later.
The USWNT is set to compete at the Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro, and Lloyd is expected to take part in the team’s run at another goal medal. The women’s competition runs from Aug. 3-19.
Here is Lloyd’s injury and response:
For those who missed it, video of Carli Lloyd’s injury: pic.twitter.com/JCpEen6pId
— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) April 24, 2016
Thank you all for the support. This won't stop me. Will get an MRI and go from there. I will be okay. 👍🏼💪🏼👊🏼
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) April 24, 2016
Carli has had a knack of being in the right place at the right time. The only problem is that lately she hasn’t been converting on a lot of opportunities. But she is still aggressive and not afraid to
mix it up with opponents going for the ball, and she tends not to make any defensive mistakes,
which is critical for a play-making mid-fielder. While I agree that a lot of the newcomers are a
lot better at this stage of their careers than many of the retirees, you still need seasoned
veterans in the middle to control play and keep the ball in the opponents end of the field.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out for the WNT. Lloyd has played every minute of every game for the last 2 years, but the team has shifted around her during that time and with it, the style of play. The younger players being added are frankly better players both technically and tactically that the players who have recently retired. Lloyd was struggling to find her place in the new scheme at least if her play in the recent tournament was any indication. It’s too bad she went down with an injury, but developing alternatives is long past due. That would be true even if she had been playing at the highest level of her life.
After viewing the video, I now can rule out cartilage, and I don’t see the ACL tearing with her
leg up in the air like that. I wouldn’t rule out a hamstring strain right where it connects down
by the knee. Anyway, that’s what I’m hoping for.
Thanks Dr. Bill!
Tell that to my daughter – same thing happened, ACL tear. Doesn’t take a nasty tackle or even weight on the knee.
If Carli is lost, that means big trouble for the USWNT in mid-field. With Rapino still questionable,
they need Lloyd to keep things stabilized, especially when playing the more physical teams. The
best teams in the world are always the strongest at mid-field. If its an ACL or MCL, at this time,
then its all over for the her at Rio. If its cartilage, they should be able to keep her going with
injectables until after the Olympics, when they can do surgery if necessary. We need to keep our fingers crossed on this one.
My guess: ACL tear.
Perhaps too many matches in the past few years with the USWNT team, turf surface, women being more prone to knee injuries and Lloyd being 33. A lot of variables to consider if my guess turns out to be true.
Really hope the MRI is negative for any structural damage. She’s been a blast to watch and a bright spot for the federation – on and off the pitch.
Wrong again Old School.
Oh you’re so right calling out my professional “misdiagnosis”. At least you aren’t fabricating statements or flat out lying here as you have started a habit of doing. Step in the right direction!
Non-contact on turf, doesn’t sound good