Also in today’s Roundup, Chelsea extend Fran Kirby through 2021
A calf strain will keep Marta from playing for the Pride this weekend (photo copyright Katie Cahalin for The Equalizer)
The Orlando Pride have ruled out Marta for Sunday night’s game in Seattle due to a left calf strain. The Pride were already preparing to be without Alex Morgan, who has entered camp with the United States. To compound matters on the front line, Rachel Hill is also out for Sunday’s tilt due to a left groin strain. The Pride will also be thin in back. Ali Krieger has an MCL injury and is out 4-6 weeks and goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris is also in with the USWNT. Additionally both Monica and Toni Pressley are listed as questionable.
The other team hard done by both injuries and international callups is the Courage. They got a break when the U.S. did not call in Lynn Williams, but on Friday she was added back to the injury report as questionable with a right hamstring strain. Kristen Hamilton was also a late injury report add, questionable with a low back impingement. The Courage are already down six players for international duty — Abby Dahlkemper, Crystal Dunn, Merritt Mathias, Sam Mewis, Denise O’Sullivan, and McCall Zerboni.
Here is the full NWSL injury report for this weekend’s matches.
CHICAGO RED STARS
OUT: Sam Johnson (right knee sprain), Stephanie McCaffrey (illness)
QUESTIONABLE: Vanessa DiBernardo (stress fracture pelvis), Summer Green (right quad strain), Casey Short (right ankle sprain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Julie Ertz (USA), Sofia Huerta (USA), Alyssa Naeher (USA)
HOUSTON DASH
OUT: Kristie Mewis (left ACL sprain – SEI)
QUESTIONABLE: Kyah Simon (right groin strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: None
NORTH CAROLINA COURAGE
OUT: Sabrina D’Angelo (left ankle sprain), Makenzy Doniak (left knee ACL tear – SEI), Julie King (left ankle repair)
QUESTIONABLE: Kristen Hamilton (low back impingement), Jaelene Hinkle (right calf strain), Lynn Williams (right hamstring strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Abby Dahlkemper (USA), Crystal Dunn (USA), Merritt Mathias (USA), Samantha Mewis (USA), Denise O’Sullivan (IRL), McCall Zerboni (USA)
ORLANDO PRIDE
OUT: Camila (right knee surgery – D45), Ali Krieger (right knee sprain), Marta (left calf strain), Rachel Hill (left groin strain)
QUESTIONABLE: Monica (right knee soreness), Toni Pressley (left quad strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Ashlyn Harris (USA), Alex Morgan (USA)
PORTLAND THORNS FC
N/A
SEATTLE REIGN FC
OUT: Yael Averbuch (illness), Jaycie Johnson (right knee sprain – D45), Megan Oyster (left knee sprain)
QUESTIONABLE: Steph Catley (left groin strain)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Allie Long (USA), Megan Rapinoe (USA)
SKY BLUE FC
OUT: Erica Skroski (right hamstring strain)
QUESTIONABLE: Raquel Rodriguez (back spasms)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Carli Lloyd (USA), Savannah McCaskill (USA)
UTAH ROYALS FC
OUT: Alex Arlitt (left knee strain – SEI), Mandy Laddish (right hip contusion – SEI), Kelley O’Hara (right hamstring strain)
QUESTIONABLE: None
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Amy Rodriguez (USA), Becky Sauerbrunn (USA), Abby Smith (USA)
WASHINGTON SPIRIT
OUT: Cali Farquharson (left tibial stress injury – D45), Cheyna Matthews (pregnancy), Mallory Pugh (right knee swelling), Arielle Ship (right ACL recovery – D45)
QUESTIONABLE: Tori Huster (right groin soreness)
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: Francisca Ordega (NGA)
Chelsea extend Fran Kirby
Chelsea, holder of the double in England, announced that striker Fran Kirby has agreed to an extension with the club through summer 2021. Kirby scored 8 times and added 6 assists as Chelsea won the FA WSL title handily over Arsenal. She also scored the backbreaking goal in her sides’s 3-1 FA Cup win over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.
Fantastic news! ?@FranKirby has signed a new contract until 2021! pic.twitter.com/CeVxAcwhOG
— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) June 1, 2018
Kirby has scored 10 times in 30 appearances for England and is expected to be featured as the Lionesses head toward probably qualification for the 2019 World Cup.
