USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will not play in Thursday’s Olympic bronze medal soccer match against Australia. Naeher exited Monday’s semifinal game against Canada with an injury to her knee.
Around the 22nd minute, Naeher jumped for a ball and bumped into American defender Julie Ertz. The collision caused Naeher to land awkwardly. U.S. Soccer says Naeher “suffered a hyperextension of her right knee and a bone contusion.”
In a news release, U.S. Soccer said that Naeher had an MRI after the game that showed no ligament damage.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to be on the field Thursday with my teammates competing for a medal, but I know this group will bounce back from a tough loss,” Naeher said.
The netminder is slated to be out for several weeks.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will not be available for the bronze medal match after suffering a hyperextension of her right knee and a bone contusion in Monday’s semifinal.Get well soon, @AlyssaNaeher! ❤️🇺🇸— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) August 3, 2021
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will not be available for the bronze medal match after suffering a hyperextension of her right knee and a bone contusion in Monday’s semifinal.Get well soon, @AlyssaNaeher! ❤️🇺🇸
Naeher was the star player during Team USA’s quarterfinal game against the Netherlands when she saved three Dutch penalty kicks.
“I can’t wait to watch them fight for a bronze medal and I will be here to support the team in any way I can to help us get it done,” said Naeher.