Itโs a new year for the USWNT, and weโll see many new faces in January camp. But let’s look at whoโs still recovering from injury and when we might see some familiar faces back on the field. From Midge Purce to Croix Bethune, here’s your beginning-of-2025 USWNT injury report:
Midge Purce
Purce tore her ACL in March 2024 while playing with Gotham FC. Due to the injury, Purce missed out on the Olympics and the majority of the 2024 NWSL season. The midfielder is back training, and weโll likely be back sometime around the start of the 2025 NWSL season if she doesnโt face any setbacks. Purce is currently a free agent, so itโs unclearย where sheโll play when she returnsย to the field.ย
Catarina Macario
Macario first suffered a torn ACL in 2022, which forced her to be out for quite some time. In 2024, she returned to the field for both the club and the USWNT before being ruled out of the Olympics due to her knee. The great news is that Macario is back on the field playing at a limited capacity for Chelsea as she works up to top fitness again. Once Macario starts playing consistently again, we’re sure we can expect to see her return to the USWNT.ย
Croix Bethune
In August, Bethune suffered a torn meniscus, cutting her record-breaking rookie season with the Washington Spirit short. She finished the 2024 NWSL season with ten assists and five goals through the first 17 games. Bethune has three appearances for the USWNT and was an alternate at the 2024 Olympics. All indications are that Bethune could be ready to return to play by the start of the 2025 season if her rehab continues to go well.ย
Mia Fishel
Fishel tore her ACL in February 2024 and missed out on the Olympics. The forward made her debut for the USWNT in 2023 and will likely get another look with the team if she returns to the level of play she was at before her injury. Fishel has returned to training and was featured in Chelseaโs traveling squad for their Winter training camp.ย
Christen Press
Press originally tore her ACL in 2022, but she was kept off the field for the entire 2023 season as well. She returned to club play with Angel City in August 2024. Press hasnโt played for the USWNT since 2021, and itโll likely be quite difficult for her to break into the roster, but if she plays at a high level in the NWSL, itโs certainly possible. Press is a free agent in the NWSL, so weโll have to see where she lands.ย
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