Sophia Smith has avoided the worst.
The 23-year-old forward, who stars for the Portland Thorns and U.S. women’s national team, suffered a mild MCL sprain in her right knee and is considered week-to-week, her NWSL club announced Wednesday.
Smith sustained the injury in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with the Washington Spirit when she slid awkwardly in the first half. While she limped off the field with the help of a trainer, she was seen on crutches at halftime, raising questions about the severity of the injury. Several of the top women’s soccer stars in the world have suffered ACL tears in the last year, leaving fans anxious over any knee injury.
Sunday’s match marked Smith’s second since the 2023 World Cup. She scored the game-winner against the North Carolina Courage in her first game back, and she leads the league Golden Boot race with 11 goals.
After the Thorns revealed the details of her injury, Smith said she was “feeling all the love and healing vibes.”
“No injury is good news but thankful it wasn’t worse,” she wrote. “Be back soon.”
feeling all the love & healing vibes. no injury is good news but thankful it wasn’t worse. be back soon🤞🏽❤️— Sophia Smith (@sophsssmith) August 30, 2023
feeling all the love & healing vibes. no injury is good news but thankful it wasn’t worse. be back soon🤞🏽❤️