The Houston Dash confirmed Monday that midfielder and reigning FIFA World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd has been diagnosed with a grade 1 MCL sprain that will sideline her for 3-6 weeks. Lloyd suffered the injury in the fifth minute of Saturday's 3-1 loss at the Orlando Pride in the NWSL. Lloyd was substituted from the match in the 12th minute.
The good news for USWNT fans is that timeline means lloyd should be back in action in time for the Rio Olympics. The bad news is it could be a tight squeeze.
Lloyd expressed her disappointment to the Houston Dash website:
“I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Obviously, I’m very disappointed with the injury. I was feeling great and starting to get comfortable with my Dash teammates,” Lloyd said. “The timing is not great but I’m confident that I will come back in peak condition. Rehab starts tomorrow and you’ll see me on the field soon.”
She also tweeted a statement to her fans.
Thank you for all the well wishes.It's been a while since I've been sidelined but this won't stop me. I will be back stronger than ever
— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) April 25, 2016
Lloyd could still miss the Olympics if the USWNT decides to boycott the games die to wage discrimination, but she likely won't be out because of injury.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus at Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
