Davidson

Tierna Davidson: Gotham FC and USWNT defender dominated out of 2025 with ACL damage

U.S. girls’s nationwide group defender Tierna Davidson has been dominated out for the rest of the 2025 season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) the group introduced Wednesday morning.

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The 26-year-old might be positioned on the league’s season-ending damage checklist.

“We’re heartbroken for Tierna,” stated Yael Averbuch West, the group’s normal supervisor and head of soccer operations, in a press release. “Our membership will do every part we are able to to assist her by this restoration and rehabilitation course of. We all know she’s going to come again stronger than ever.”

Since becoming a member of Gotham in 2024, Davidson, who was lately named group captain, has earned her place as one of many anchors within the membership’s backline.

The heartbreaking, non-contact damage occurred in Houston on Friday, when Gotham was vying for its first win of the season. Davidson exited the match within the forty fourth minute.

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Davidson was working to shut down her former teammate, Yazmeen Ryan, when she planted her left leg awkwardly whereas operating towards the tip line. She rapidly went down, whereas grabbing her knee, and slammed the pitch along with her hand thrice in what appeared like frustration.

“Oh, no. Oh, no,” analyst and former participant Jordan Angeli, who has suffered ACL tears previously, stated on the game-day broadcast, as trainers rushed to Davidson’s facet. “I don’t just like the response.”

As trainers evaluated the defender, Gotham goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger consoled her. Davidson would quickly exit the pitch in tears, strolling to the sideline with restricted assist from a coach. As soon as on the sideline, Gotham’s assistant goalkeeper coach, Michelle Betos, who was a participant on the group final 12 months, gave her a protracted hug earlier than Davidson exited the sector and headed to the locker room.

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After the sport, Davidson was seen again on the pitch with a brace that appeared to stabilize her left knee. Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros stated Davidson’s resolution to be by her teammates following her damage demonstrated her energy and management.

“Tierna is a warrior. She’s our captain,” Amoros stated after the sport. “It was devastating seeing her coming off the pitch how she did. However then seeing her on the pitch on the finish of the sport, it was additionally a message from her to the group of how sturdy she is.”

Gotham stated on Friday that Davidson could be evaluated upon return to New Jersey later that weekend. Earlier than she was evaluated, Amoros was eager for Davidson’s fast return. Nonetheless, it’s now recognized that seemingly received’t come till subsequent season.

“I do know no matter it’s, we’re going to be along with her. We’re going to assist her,” Amaoros stated. “She’s in secure arms. We’ve a incredible medical group, and I hope it’s the minimal it may be, as a result of she’s been excellent for us and excellent for her nation.”

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Aside from her contributions on the pitch, Davidson has advanced right into a quiet chief on each Gotham and the USWNT. She was lately named Gotham’s captain, and in addition elected as president of the USWNT Gamers Affiliation.

Since becoming a member of Gotham in 2024 on a three-year deal, Davidson has earned her place as Amoros’ go-to heart again alongside Emily Sonnett. Gotham’s backline has served because the group’s secret weapon in previous seasons, efficiently shutting down a number of the strongest offenses within the league. Shedding Davidson, an anchor within the group’s protection, leaves massive sneakers to fill within the heart again position.

After an offseason that’s forcing Gotham to reimagine its assault, the group’s backline supplied the 2023 NWSL Champions stability in a season crammed with change.

The backline remained principally unchanged from final 12 months, aside from Jenna Nighswonger, who left the NWSL facet for Arsenal this offseason. The group additionally signed former UCLA’s Lilly Reale on a multiyear contract by 2027, with the rookie already exhibiting promise simply three weeks into the season.

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Davidson has an intensive profession on the worldwide stage, successful the FIFA Girls’s World Cup in 2019 with the U.S. because the youngest member on the roster. The defender, who has 64 caps with the group, additionally received gold on the 2024 Summer season Olympics in Paris.

Following Gotham’s recreation final week, was rapidly dominated out for the USWNT’s upcoming camp. The nationwide group will face Brazil in back-to-back friendlies in California on Saturday and Tuesday, in a gold medal rematch from the Paris Video games. Angel Metropolis’s Gisele Thompson was known as in to switch Davidson on Emma Hayes’ 24-player roster.

This season-ending damage is an unlucky setback for Davidson, who was making her case to affix Naomi Girma as a constant starter on the nationwide group within the heart again position. With 2025 solely the beginning of the World Cup and Olympic cycle, although, Davidson would have some runway to work her method again into competition upon her return.

That is Davidson’s second season-ending knee damage since getting into the NWSL. In Paris, in opposition to Australia resulting from a knee contusion suffered throughout their match in opposition to Germany.

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Davidson was the primary general decide within the 2019 NWSL Faculty Draft, signed by the Chicago Stars and taking part in there for 5 seasons. In March 2022, that compelled her to overlook the 2022 NWSL season.

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US Girls’s nationwide group, Gotham FC, Soccer, Worldwide Soccer, NWSL

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