Emma Hayes will manage her final game with Chelsea on Saturday before she turns her attention toward the United States women’s national team. A growing list of USWNT injuries will be a main concern for Hayes.
There is good news and bad news for U.S. fans at the moment. The bad news is that big names are missing time due to injuries. The good news is that the Olympics doesn’t start for another two months and there’s still time for those players to recover.
Here’s a list of USWNT injuries that could impact who Hayes calls up for two friendlies vs. South Korea in early June.
List of USWNT injuries
- Alex Morgan – ankle injury (out since April 19, return unknown)
- Naomi Girma – thigh injury (out since April 27, expected to return soon)
- Jaedyn Shaw – ankle injury (out since May 12, recovery is day-to-day)
- Tierna Davidson – hamstring injury (out since April 20, return unknown)
- Abby Dahlkemper – thigh injury (out since April 19, expected to return soon)
- Alyssa Naeher – leg injury (out since May 12, return unknown)
- Mia Fishel – ACL injury (out indefinitely)
- Midge Purce – ACL injury (out indefinitely)
The most concerning injuries right now are those to Morgan, Davidson and Naeher. The others on the list, not including Fishel and Purce, are expected to recover soon.
Morgan’s injury came at the end of San Diego’s game vs. Orlando Pride. The 34-year-old rolled her ankle during a scramble in the box and was down for a couple minutes before limping off the field.
For the first time in awhile Morgan is not a lock for making the USWNT roster. This injury setback could cause her to be left out of Hayes' Olympic squad.
The go-to center back partnership for the USWNT is Girma and Davidson with Dahlkemper as a replacement. With Davidson’s return unknown it wouldn’t be shocking to see Girma and Dahlkemper, who are teammates with San Diego Wave, start together in the June friendlies.
Hayes will be hoping all three will recover from their injuries in time for the Summer Games. Davidson’s injury history saw her miss last year’s World Cup with an ACL injury.
Naeher is the biggest question mark and a concern. The USWNT goalkeeper showed in the Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup that she’s still one of the best in the world. Losing her for the Olympics would be a devastating blow.
Naeher was forced to come off during the Chicago Red Stars’ game vs. Utah Royals on Sunday. The 36-year-old came off her line to make a save and grabbed at her leg. She would be taken out of the game minutes later.
The severity of her injury is still unknown. She was able to walk off the field under her own power.
Hayes will have a difficult time selecting the players for the final two friendlies before the 18-player Olympic roster is revealed. Players on the fringe like Morgan and Dahlkemper will hope to recover in time to make the June roster.
The two friendlies against South Korea will be the only chance for USWNT players to feature for Hayes before she makes the Olympic roster.
