The Houston Dash and Kealia Ohai both announced today that the forward tore her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus this weekend while playing in Orlando. She will miss the remainder of the 2017 season as she recovers from the injury.
Ohai suffered the injury in the second half of last weekend’s Lifetime Game of the Week and was subbed off shortly thereafter.
“I’m devastated by the news, but also excited for this challenge,” Ohai said in a statement released by the team. “Thank you to the fans for all of your kind words of support. It means so much to me. I will do everything in my power to get back on the field, better than ever.”
Ohai, who has played in all 10 matches for the Dash this season and scored two goals, including the league’s first goal of 2017, will sorely be missed by the Dash.
“The injury to Kealia is a big hit to the team, not only on the field but off the field due to the leader that she is. With her being the captain, you are losing a big piece of your team,” Dash interim head coach Omar Morales said. “We have to stay strong for her, push for her, win some games and build on the momentum from Saturday. We will keep her in mind because she has done so much for us this year.”
Since being taken as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 NWSL College Draft, Ohai has started in 67 of 72 matches played for the Dash, both club records. She also leads the club in goals scored with 21 and has 12 career assists. She is the only remaining member of the Dash’s inaugural 2014 roster.
Ohai wrote a statement about her injury, which she posted on social media this afternoon. Her full statement is below.
— Kealia Ohai (@KealiaOhai) June 26, 2017