Diana Matheson has a torn ACL, putting her World Cup in doubt. (Photo: Canada Soccer)
Canada midfielder Diana Matheson has a torn left ACL, the Canadian Soccer Association announced on Wednesday, putting Matheson’s World Cup hopes in question.
Canada hosts the 2015 World Cup, which begins on June 6. Matheson is one of the key pieces of the team, an engine in the midfield who can play-make both centrally and out wide. The 5-foot tall, 30-year-old Matheson has suffered an ACL injury before, undergoing surgery before the 2012 Olympics but returning in time to help Canada win a bronze medal.
“Unfortunately a little déjà vu from before London where I was dealing with a knee injury,” Matheson said through a statement. “I had surgery the November before that, as well. Hopefully I can make a similar comeback. Obviously I want to be in a World Cup so that’s my goal.”
Matheson left Saturday’s loss to Japan in the 78th minute with the injury. She missed Tuesday’s rematch against Japan, which Canada lost, 3-2 after scoring a stoppage-time equalizer and then conceding the game-winner a minute later.
Matheson has 15 goals in 161 appearances for Canada. She tallied 16 goals and nine assists in 42 games for the Washington Spirit in the first two seasons of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Her injury took place on the turf at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, one of the six World Cup venues next year. A group of 60 international players has taken legal action to have next year’s World Cup played on grass, not turf, arguing that the artificial surface causes greater risk for injury.
A look at the Matheson injury, via @ProtagonistasDJ:
