Carli Lloyd has sprained MCL, likely out 3-6 weeks
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Houston Dash and U.S. women’s national team midfielder Carli Lloyd has a Grade 1 MCL sprain and will miss three-to-six weeks, an MRI revealed on Monday.
Lloyd suffered the knee injury during an NWSL match against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, when she planted her leg awkwardly during the fourth minute. She was lifted in the 13th minute after trying to play through the injury. The diagnosis means that Lloyd will likely be ready to return in plenty of time for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio, where the U.S. will be aiming to win its fourth straight gold medal. No team has immediately followed a Women's World Cup title with an Olympic gold the following summer.
Here's how Lloyd suffered her injury:
“I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Obviously, I’m very disappointed with the injury. I was feeling great and starting to get comfortable with my Dash teammates,” Lloyd said in a statement. “The timing is not great but I’m confident that I will come back in peak condition. Rehab starts tomorrow and you’ll see me on the field soon.”
James Galanis, Lloyd’s personal coach, said that the USWNT player was in good spirits.
Lloyd, 33, led the United States to its third Women's World Cup title in 2015, scoring a hat trick in the opening 16 minutes of the final game against Japan and winning Golden Ball honors.
– Kenny Ducey
