Orlando, Florida — Alex Morgan is finished for the rest of the 2019 NWSL season.
The Orlando Pride announced that the World Cup winning forward is done for the season. She’s been nursing a knee injury ever since that World Cup, which happened this past summer. The Pride said that she’s suffered a patella stress reaction in her right knee. Morgan was also diagnosed with a concussion after colliding with Sarah Gorden and Julie Ertz on Aug. 21.
Morgan’s year with Orlando was particularly lackluster. The forward only totaled 395 minutes in six appearances this year. However, she didn’t score a single goal for her club in 2019.
She only had one shot on goal the entire season, against the Portland Thorns on April 14.
“It’s obviously difficult to lose a player of Alex’s caliber due to injury,” Pride general manager Erik Ustruck said. “However, after consulting with the club’s medical team at Orlando Health and U.S. Soccer, we felt it was in the best interest of Alex’s long-term health to shut her down for the season to focus on the rehabilitation process and take the appropriate time to recover from the lingering knee injury.”
Morgan released her own comments on her social media account. She detailed this year as experiencing some of the highest highs and the lowest low moments. Morgan also said she is in Los Angeles completing physical therapy.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be able to compete with the Pride for the remainder of 2019 due to a knee injury I’ve been managing since the World Cup, and that I can’t be there to help my teammates and my club have more success,” Morgan said, via Instagram. “Thank you fans, friends, teammates, and teams for all your support.”
The @NWSL teams have partnered to launch a league-wide auction benefitting @LibbysLegacy, a charity chosen by @Toni_Deion.
Bid | https://t.co/4v4Q60o4HA#OneLeague pic.twitter.com/wbPzsqFXwR
— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) September 12, 2019
Houston Dash to make history
The Houston Dash are making history across the boarder.
Dash players and staff will be traveling to Monterrey to take part in a friendly against LigaMX Femenil club Tigres Femenil. This is the first time an NWSL will face off with an international team outside of the United States. The match will take place on Oct. 5, during the FIFA international break.
The Dash have Mexican internationals on their squad. Ariana Calderón hails from Sacramento, California, but elected to represent Mexico. She was part of the 2015 World Cup team in Canada. Meanwhile, Ari Romero has represented El Tri 39 times since 2011. Another member of the Dash features for Mexico, as goalkeeper Bianca Henninger has made four appearances with Mexico since 2017. She formerly featured for the United States at youth level.
The match will be streamed via Facebook and Twitter.
- Facebook: @TigresFemenilOficial
- Twitter: @TigresFemenil
🇲🇽 ¡Feliz 16 de septiembre! 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/Dn0hE5F4we
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) September 16, 2019
Sky Blue heading back to Red Bull Arena
They’re coming back, Harrison.
Sky Blue FC is heading back to Red Bull Arena again this NWSL season. The club made history by facing off with Reign FC in the stadium on Aug. 18. When Sky Blue made their debut at Red Bull Arena, fans packed the stands. A total of 9,415 spectators piled into the seats to watch Sky Blue and Reign battle to a 1-1 draw.
Alyse LaHue, the club’s general manager, has been vocal about wanting more matches at Red Bull Arena. LaHue said she appreciates the friendship between Sky Blue and the Red Bulls to make another match happen at Red Bull Arena.
“The first time we played at Red Bull Arena, we set the club attendance record, and the atmosphere was electric,” LaHue said. “It’s an incredible setting and, with high demand for our home finale, we felt this was the right occasion to return.”
Sky Blue will take on the Orlando Pride. It might not be the flashiest match — Orlando is without Morgan and currently sit in last place in the NWSL — but the visibility is important. Sky Blue played their last match at Yurcak Field against the Chicago Red Stars t his past weekend. They need a new home next season, as Yurcak will no longer comply with NWSL standards.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to come back to Red Bull Arena again this season,” Carli Lloyd said. “It was a phenomenal atmosphere the first time, and we look forward to playing in front of a packed crowd again on the 29th.”
Also, the match will have a new kickoff time. Sky Blue and Orlando will begin action at 11 a.m. ET, due to the New York Red Bulls having a match later in the evening.
Last time at @RedBullArena 😍
Ready for this again! 🔜 #SBFC pic.twitter.com/0n5YFQc1Ud
— NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) September 17, 2019
