Messing with United States women’s national team left back Casey Krueger is a very bad idea. England learned that lesson the hard way.
Lioness forward Chloe Kelly will miss the upcoming Switzerland friendly due to suffering a concussion during the 0-0 draw vs. the USWNT on Saturday. The injury came in the final minute of the friendly game.
While the USWNT and England have a fiery history of big games against each other and sit No. 1 and No. 2 in the FIFA Women’s rankings, Saturday’s friendly was as described. Friendly.
That was the case until the 94th minute when Kelly put in a hard and late tackle on Krueger to send the veteran USWNT player careening to the turf on the sideline. Was a challenge that crunching necessary for a meaningless 0-0 draw with 60 seconds left to go?
Kelly would discover the mistake she made about 54 seconds later as Krueger got her revenge.
Casey Krueger Chloe Kelly hit
Still thinking about Casey Krueger taking this nasty hit yesterday and then IMMEDIATELY getting her lick back, lol. Sweetest person off field but don’t play in her face on it. #USWNT pic.twitter.com/G7dVkYBfQg
— mikasa (@mikasa22) December 1, 2024
Chloe Kelly has withdrawn from the @Lionesses squad to face Switzerland on Tuesday.
Chloe sustained a concussion at the conclusion of Saturday's 0-0 draw with the USA. She will return to the Club for ongoing assessment and rehabilitation. pic.twitter.com/EIxn31Yb2C— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) December 2, 2024
There’s a popular abbreviation that perfectly summarizes the final minute of that game. FAFO.
While obviously we don’t want to encourage players injuring each other and giving opponents concussions, we think we’re going to let this one slide. Great hit Krueger.
Krueger and the USWNT will face Netherlands in their next friendly on Tuesday.
