Just confirmed by Ali on twitter that she tore her ACL and has a grade 2 tear of the MCL. Recovery is 6-8 months. With the Olympics starting at the end of July it would be tough for her to make it back in time, but who knows people have done it before (I'm looking at you Shannon MacMillan). Still for her to start and be a solid defender I just don't think it will happen. Tough loss for the team.
at least for the moment, the play on which she's injured is on YouTube [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTROAjHAv8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTROAjHAv8[/ame]
Thanks for posting that. I found the source feed for that video and it's legit (Telemundo's website, which uses livestream.com).
She'll be back. Not soon enough for our liking but she'll be back. Meanwhile, maybe it's a good time for this memory? Aagh, what's wrong with me? Oh well here's the link, you can watch the entire shootout or catch Ali Krieger starting at 6'17 http://youtu.be/pf2GTroOwbo?t=6m17s
With it nearing February and the Olys in July-August, no way she's back playing by then. It would be crazy for her even to try, and it would be irresponsible for the team to let her try. Good luck with her recovery, let's all just hope it's a full recovery and be happy if it is.
Geez watching that video makes me a little sick to my stomach. Watching it, it is pretty obvious from her reaction that she knows it is something major. Poor thing. You hate watching these type injuries. She's still young though and I have a feeling she'll be around for the next Olympic cycle. Now, not sure if this is an appropriate question to ask, but who do you think gets the starting spot with Ali out?
No but anything. This is awful for krieger, and Can you show 5 seconds of Engen playing at rt. back? Bet you can't.
Well, if you look at the video, the CR is positioned for the CK just inside the 18-yard box near the bottom of the screen, towards the camera (i.e. on the attacking side's left side) -- the challenge comes almost directly opposite that position. Also, the challenge is late enough that the CR is probably following the shot - and it is clearly a shot towards goal. So it's possible the CR didn't see the tackle or could be expected to. I didn't notice a foul at first. However, you'd think someone would catch it -- if not the CR then the AR on that side. But it might be interesting to pose the question in the Referee Forum because clearly this should be a red card.
no i wouldn't because at game speed from the side it almost looks like she ra n past her or they had a knee bumping incident. from the goal in "slow mo" you see it. officials cant see everything at GAME speed. i played "equipment football" for 8 yrs and i can vouch for this. things happen at game speed, injuries happen and are missed.
Sympathies to Ali. Not much but some consolation in recalling that Abby missed the Olympics in 08 with her broken leg and came back strong to star in the WC. Hopefully Ali can do the same with the ACL. Best of luck.
Engen played a few matches at left back while with Chicago in 2010. Shortly after, Hayes or Namazi (whoever was in charge then) came to their senses and shifted her to the middle. As I recall, Engen used to be a striker before Anson Dorrance converted her into a central defender, so there is evidence she can be adaptable. However, she was one of the most dominant central defenders the college game has ever seen, and achieved DOY in only her second professional season. Not sure you want to disregard all that and make her a fullback. Same goes for Sauerbrunn.
Not that I am saying she should be Krieger's replacement, but here is your evidence Engen has played right back for the United States. USA vs Finland March 7, 2011 Lineup: USA: 18-Nicole Barnhart; 11-Ali Krieger (25-Whitney Engen, 59), 3-Christie Rampone (capt.) (22-Becky Sauerbrunn, 46), 19-Rachel Buehler, 14-Stephanie Cox; 9-Heather O’Reilly (21-Kelley O’Hara, 46), 7-Shannon Boxx (16-Lori Lindsey, 46), 10-Carli Lloyd, 17-Tobin Heath; 13-Alex Morgan (5-Lindsay Tarpley, 70), 12-Lauren Cheney (20-Abby Wambach, 46) Subs not used: 8-Amy Rodriguez, 15-Megan Rapinoe, 24-Ashlyn Harris Head Coach: Pia Sundhage
Are you sure she played RB or was just subbed in (and one of the other defenders shifted to RB to make room for her in CB)? I didn't watch this game so I have no idea.
Best wishes to Ali Krieger, a player who I respect for a number of reasons. She took the jump to play overseas and immerse herself in another culture, even when some warned it could jeopardize her spot on the National Team. She showed persistence and worked her way back into NT contention after being dropped for several years. She was quietly the best right back at the 2011 WWC. She knows how to put a low, driven cross with pace into the box. She seems like a fun person with an engaging personality. For all these reasons, I feel terrible about this turn of events. Fullback (right and left) is generally a weak spot for the USWNT, and she is head and shoulders the best one right now. Get well soon, Ali. Moving forward, it's hard to see how this shakes out. Heather Mitts can be a serviceable backup, but I don't exactly trust her as the full time starter. For someone historically known for her pace, she's been burned by speedy wingers before, and that started a couple years ago, before her most recent hamstring injuries. The problem is, outside of Mitts, there aren't any ready-made options. Sauerbrunn is a fantastic central defender and should be starting - unfortunately Pia has explicitly said that keeping consistent chemistry between the central pairing is more important to her than individual form. Besides, Sauerbrunn doesn't have the attacking instincts to be a great right back. Engen will be a starter once Pia is gone and Rampone has retired, but like Sauerbrunn, is better suited to the middle. I could see O'Hara being tried on the right, since she's already been converted to fullback in training, and she's naturally right-footed. Brittany Taylor is another solid performer who should have been invited to camp some time ago and played mostly right back for SBFC. I assume they'll stick with Mitts for the remainder of this tournament, and then do some experimenting.
i have been impressed with brittany taylor at that spot when i've seen her play. so i'd say mitts for now. and later on see if ohara or taylor can seize the day.
Dalmy was the best right back in WPS for 3 yrs, imo. I like Taylor, too, but Pia had her into camp a lot but kept not putting her on rosters. Guess Pia doesn't rate her.
First off, get well soon Ali Kreiger. One other name to think about for the future (not this year probably) is Camille Levin. I think she has potential to be a top flight outside back for WPS and USWNT. As for this year, I would think it's Mitts' job to lose. She has the most experience and players like Sauerbrunn or Engen has just not played much over there in international competition, Cox is more of a left back and Brit Taylor and Dalmy were not called up to either of the last two camps. They are just getting O'Hara settled at LB so I would think Mitts starts with Sauerbrunn backing her up for now. We'll see how Mitts looks against Mexico and Canada. I'll say this for her, she has been relatively healthy for the past year after suffering from nagging injuries in the two or three previous years. If I was her, I'd skip WPS and focus on WNT training leading up to the Olympics. It's hard to judge her (or anyone) based on these last two games against inferior competition. But I do think she's better than Kreiger going forward (runs, touch passing and crosses). The question is whether she can still defend close to the way she did 4-5 years ago. We will soon find out.
That was a horrible challenge. The defender didn't even have her leg under control and she was incredibly late. This injury really wasn't reported much, but it's certainly more important than scoring 5 goals in a 14 goal rout. What a terrible thing to happen. That's what sucks about these sort of games.
