The United States women’s national team was hit with a major injury blow on Monday when striker Mia Fishel tore her ACL in her right knee during training. Alex Morgan will fill Fishel’s spot on the USWNT’s roster.
Fishel’s injury came one day before the USWNT play their opening match in the inaugural Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup.
Mia Fishel ACL injury
Roster Update: Alex Morgan will replace forward Mia Fishel on the #USWNT roster for the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup » https://t.co/NaJVdvaKMJ
Fishel tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee during training on Feb. 19Wishing Big Fish a healthy recovery pic.twitter.com/Z5oxQg2ihY
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) February 20, 2024
Chelsea Football Club can confirm Mia Fishel has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury while on duty with the US Women's National Team.
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) February 20, 2024
The 22-year-old Chelsea forward looked to be getting her big shot at the USWNT No. 9 position after she was named to the Gold Cup roster instead of usual starter Morgan.
Fishel has been playing the 2023-24 season with FA Women’s Super League giant Chelsea, led by incoming USWNT head coach Emma Hayes.
“Big Fish” had appeared in several of the previous USWNT games and scored against Colombia during a friendly in October. She was vying for a chance to be part of the USWNT’s Olympic roster this summer.
ACL injuries have plagued women’s soccer as Fishel’s Chelsea teammate Sam Kerr is also out for a long period with an ACL tear. Several USWNT players have suffered the same injury like Catarina Macario, Christen Press and Tierna Davidson.
The recovery process can take anywhere from eight months to over a year. It’s unclear if Fishel will play again in 2024.
The USWNT’s Gold Cup kicks off Tuesday at 10:15 p.m. ET against Dominican Republic followed by two more group stage games against Argentina and Mexico.
