Gotham FC defender Tierna Davidson leaves match after non-contact leg harm
Gotham FC and U.S. girls’s nationwide staff defender Tierna Davidson left Friday’s match in opposition to the Houston Sprint with an obvious leg harm.
The 26-year-old was working to shut down her former teammate Yazmeen Ryan and planted her left leg awkwardly whereas working towards the top line. There was no contact on the play. She fell, instantly holding her left knee and searching visibly upset. Davidson slammed her hand on the bottom just a few occasions and was consoled by goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger earlier than leaving the sphere.
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The extent of Davidson’s harm stays unclear; nonetheless, a Gotham spokesperson stated she will likely be evaluated when the staff returns to New Jersey.
Davidson walked off the pitch with restricted help from trainers and her teammates. On the sideline, Gotham’s assistant goalkeeper coach, Michelle Betos, who was a participant on the squad final yr, gave Davidson a protracted hug earlier than the defender headed to the locker room.
Defender Mandy Freeman entered the pitch for Davidson within the forty fourth minute, taking the captain’s armband left behind by Davidson.
In 2022, the U.S. defender tore the ACL in her proper knee whereas with the Chicago Pink Stars and missed the rest of that season. In 2018, she fractured her ankle whereas taking part in for Stanford.
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The scenes in Houston had been regarding for Davidson and Gotham, who had been vying for his or her first win of the season.
Davidson was named to Emma Hayes’ 24-player USWNT roster for the staff’s upcoming friendlies in opposition to Brazil in California subsequent week.
What does this imply for the USWNT?
Within the brief time period, it feels truthful to count on Hayes to switch Davidson for the 2 upcoming matches in opposition to Brazil. The U.S. head coach has continued to discover the depth at middle again, particularly with Naomi Girma lacking the primary a part of the yr with a calf harm. With Girma’s place because the staff’s main beginning middle again cemented and 2025 serving as an prolonged analysis interval and not using a main match for the USWNT, Davidson’s harm is a troublesome blow for her as she regarded to make her case to affix Girma as a constant starter.
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Timing is a possible silver lining, nonetheless, with 2025 solely the beginning of the World Cup and Olympic cycle. If it’s the worst-case situation, Davidson would have a bit extra runway forward of World Cup qualifiers subsequent summer season and loads of time forward of the 2027 match to work her approach again into competition.
Nonetheless, Davidson’s absence could be unlucky for the U.S. contemplating her quiet management and thoughtfulness. Davidson additionally has proved to be one of many new voices for the staff off the sphere, having simply been elected as president of the USWNT Gamers Affiliation.
What does this imply for Gotham?
Dropping Davidson could be a devastating blow for Gotham, because the staff navigates a roster with a number of new faces.
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Davidson is taken into account a frontrunner and veteran on the staff, having been named this season’s membership captain, in addition to a significant a part of the staff’s backline alongside fellow USWNT veteran Emily Sonnett. An prolonged absence from Davison may provide a chance for NWSL rookie Lilly Reale to step into the fold in a extra significant approach after a promising begin to her skilled profession.
This season has been full of change for the 2023 NWSL champions, who misplaced a number of of its attacking gamers this offseason, together with Ryan and Delanie Sheehan, who had been on the pitch for Houston as key members of its 2025 revamp.
This offseason, Gotham’s backline remained largely unchanged, apart from Jenna Nighswonger leaving the staff for Arsenal. Gotham’s defensive position has been the staff’s secret weapon in latest seasons, with Davidson a focus of that success, efficiently shutting down among the league’s strongest attackers like Orlando Delight’s Barba Banda final yr.
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US Girls’s nationwide staff, Gotham FC, NWSL
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