Alex Morgan will miss the United States’ next two matches with a bone bruise in her left knee. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
Alex Morgan will not play for the United States national team against Ireland on Sunday or next week against Mexico as the forward deals with a bone bruise in her left knee, according to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.
Morgan missed Portland Thorns FC’s last two matches due to the injury. She last played on April 11, the Thorns’ opener against the Boston Breakers. Morgan played 75 minutes in that match.
The Women’s World Cup begins in one month, and while U.S. Soccer calls Morgan’s absence from Sunday’s match “precautionary,” U.S. fans could be justifiably worried. She is arguably the most important piece to the U.S.’ plans for the World Cup.
Morgan, 25, sprained her ankle in the fall of 2013, but the injury worsened and she missed almost seven months of action. She sprained the same ankle last October and missed more time than expected, returning in February.
U.S. Soccer says Morgan is expected to be ready for the World Cup.
Tobin Heath will also miss the next two matches for the United States as she deals with a right hamstring injury. Crystal Dunn is in camp with the U.S. to train while Heath recovers. Per Carlisle, defender Ali Krieger is also back to full training after suffering a concussion last month in the opening minutes of the NWSL season.
