Posted on March 12, 2013 by Michael Lewis
The U.S. Women’s National Team just can’t catch a break these days.
On second thought, the Americans are catching the wrong type of breaks.
U.S. international midfielder Carli Lloyd will be sidelined from six to eight weeks after suffering a broken bone the left shoulder during the U.S.’s opening match of the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
Officially, the injury was called a non-displaced greater tuberosity fracture of the left shoulder.
The Americans lost backup goalkeeper Jill Loyden to a broken bone in her left hand during Algarve training, the same day that No. 1 goalkeeper Hope Solo had surgery on her left wrist.
Lloyd, who has 154 international appearances,left the match during the second half against Iceland on March 6 and was held out of the Americans’ two other group games. An MRI revealed the break. She will not need surgery.
The Delran, N.J. native was allocated to Western New York Flash of the National Women’s Soccer League, which begins play in April. Lloyd probably will miss at least the first month of the season.
“Although it’s an unfortunate circumstance, I’ve been through injuries before and have come back even stronger,” Lloyd said. “I’m disappointed that I’ll be missing some National Team events and some league games, but as soon as my shoulder allows, I’ll be back and ready to compete.”
Lloyd scored four goals, including both in the 2-1 victory against Japan in the gold medal game in the 2012 Olympic final at Wembley Stadium in London. She has 43 career goals, third-most of any player in U.S. history who has played exclusively in the midfield.
The Americans will play Group A champion Germany in the Algarve Cup final at Estadio Algarve in Faro, Portugal at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
Fans will be able to watch the clash for the Algarve Cup on TV or online via Pay-Per-View and follow along on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker and on Twitter @ussoccer_WNT.
<strong>Photo: Carli Lloyd joined the growing injury list of U.S. women’s players. Andy Mead/YCJ</strong>
Categories: North America, U.S.A., Women
Tags: 2012 London Olympics, Algarve Cup, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo, Jill Loyden
Loading ...
