Midge Purce announced on Wednesday that she has torn her ACL.
The Gotham FC and USWNT forward went down with the injury on Sunday during Gothamâs 1-0 win after tweaking it earlier in the game. Gotham coach Juan Carlos AmorĂłs did not have any immediate updates following the match, with further evaluation revealing the tear.
âItâs a reality Iâm still struggling with and has left me with not too much to say,â Purce wrote in a statement on social media. âIâm heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT â know Iâm rooting for you both all year long.
âThough you may not see it, Iâll be doing everything I can to get back on the field.â
Purce is just the latest women's soccer star to tear her ACL, and joins USWNT teammate Mia Fishel in having torn her ACL in the last couple of months. Other notable players include Catarina Macario and Christen Press, with Macario only just returning to the USWNT lineup after tearing hers in 2022.Â
International stars such as Alexia Putellas, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Leah Williamson have also suffered ACL tears.
Purceâs injury caused AmorĂłs to call out the international schedule, which has been a growing point of concern as more players fall victim to injuries and the playing schedule becomes more packed. Kansas Cityâs Debinha suffered a hamstring injury in the teamâs opening game, while both Lynn Williams and Rose Lavelle have yet to play for Gotham due to injuries picked up during the W Gold Cup.
âWe lost Midge during the game which for me is a bittersweet flavor,â AmorĂłs told reporters after Sundayâs game. âBy the way, itâs another player that came from the Gold Cup. Last week, it was Debinha. We are paying the consequences of a tournament that shouldnât have happened.â
âWeâre talking about protecting the players, [who shouldnât] go to play an international competition after one week of preseason,â AmorĂłs continued. âWeâve seen the consequences now. Weâve got Rose, Lynn, last week it was Debinha in Kansas [City] and now we have Midge. From my experience, the clubs are going to keep paying for that competition."
In her statement, Purce said that âso many friends, teammates and even players Iâve only ever competed againstâ reached out to offer support.
âI am so blessed,â she wrote. âYour messages have meant so much to me throughout this process, you have consoled what, for a moment, felt inconsolable. Thank you for reminding me that our football world is not only full with incredibly talent but also, incredible kindness.â