Alex Morgan is habitual in scoring decisive clutch goals. She tried to unleash her clutch gene and avoid the San Diego Wave’s defeat against the Orlando Pride last weekend. During the unfortunate attempt, Morgan took a knock to her ankle and immediately left the pitch limping. The ankle injury seems serious as the USWNT veteran has not shown any signs of recovery yet.
In an alarming update, San Diego’s chief coach Casey Stoney confirmed that Alex Morgan would sit out in the San Diego-Bay FC tie to nurse the ankle problem. “She’s got an ankle injury and she’s out for this weekend,” said Casey Stoney in a press conference before Wave’s home game against Bay FC on Friday. Neither the coach nor the Wave entourage has spoken about the star striker’s return date. But Stoney hinted at how the club is going to oversee Morgan’s recovery. “Then it’ll be week by week from there[this weekend],” Casey Stoney added, as compiled by ESPN.
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Things have surely gone out of kilter for the San Diego Wave. They are currently struggling as the NWSL’s 10th seed. It is quite surprising to see a team that won the NWSL Challenge Cup last month struggle in the league’s bottom half. Wave’s upcoming rival, Bay FC which debuted in the NWSL this season is doing better as the league’s 8th seed. Since Alex Morgan’s return is uncertain, Wave’s new signing Maria Sanchez, and breakthrough forward Jaedyn Shaw will have to go the extra mile in the coming days. Anyhow, the Californian side is not the only team affected by Morgan’s injury. The USWNT soon gathers for action, risking the injured striker’s participation.
Ankle injury puts Alex Morgan’s Olympic schedule and other USWNT games in jeopardy
The USWNT next plays friendlies against South Korea and Mexico in friendly matches in June- a precursor to the Summer Olympics in Paris in July. Alex Morgan looks to compete in the Olympics with the USWNT for the fourth time. However, the serious ankle injury and uncertain recovery process are jeopardizing her Olympic contention. There is ample time for a player to recover since the USWNT starts the Olympic run on July 25, 2024. However, Morgan at 34 years of age might not recover as easily as a player in her 20s.
The US team plays the winner of a playoff between Morocco and Zambia to kick off their Paris Olympics campaign. Thereafter, they face Germany and Australia in the group stage. Alex Morgan was instrumental to the USWNT resurrection after the 2023 World Cup mishap. She aided the team through the thick and thin to win the CONCACAF W Gold Cup and the SheBelieves Cup. Hence, it is paramount for the American squad to have the two-time World Champion in the Olympic mix. Only time will tell when Morgan will return to redeem the San Diego and the US.
