In just a few moments, USWNT will be returning for their Paris Olympics action. The Star and Stripes ft. ladies will face their last Group B rivals Australia. Having won the first two games, they will be eager to clinch a third consecutive triumph to perfectly curtain their group stages. However, ahead of the match-up, Emma Hayes has shared a troubling injury update regarding Tierna Davidson, with no good news on Jaedyn Shaw as well.

In a pre-match interview, when questioned about the center-back, the former Chelsea boss said, “She got a contusion. She got hit in her leg and as you know, a knee-on-knee situation can create a bit of swelling so that swelling will keep her out of this game.”

This builds up a situation for Hayes as she is yet to decide who Davidson’s replacement is going to be. “I haven’t worked through which one [Tierna’s replacement] it will be just yet. I was just confirmed before training that she won’t quite make it today,” added the English tactician.

Tierna was subbed off within the 44th-minute mark following a knee-on-knee collision with Germany’s Jule Brand. Interestingly, defensive midfielder Emily Sonnett took the 25-year-old’s place at left center-back. Team USA was already 3-1 before halftime, thanks to a brace from Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson’s third goal of the tournament, just before Giulia Gwinn. Lynn Williams came off the bench to replace Smith to add another to make the final score 4-1.

Hayes will most likely go with Orlando Pride’s Emily Sams to replace Davidson vs Australia. But this isn’t the only blow for the English boss.

While Emma Hayes is set to miss Tierna Davidson, Jaedyn Shaw still looking for a Paris Olympic debut

Unfortunately, Tierna Davidson isn’t alone as Jaedyn Shaw will also be missing the final group stage game. The forward is yet to make her Paris Olympic appearance as she remained sidelined in the opening two matches due to a leg injury. Luckily, USWNT is doing more than just fine in her absence at the goal. The trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman have become the fan favorites who have racked up seven goals alone in two matches.

“This is probably only game six or seven of us playing up front together. We’re clicking really well, really fast. I think this is only like 70 percent of what we can do,” said Smith, praising the chemistry of her teammates following the big win over Germany. It’s good that the American ladies are finding the connection. Till then, it is advised that Shaw takes as much rest as possible, after all, things won’t be easy for Emma Hayes and Co. during the knockout stages.

Win, lose, or draw doesn’t matter for USWNT against Australia as they are already in the quarterfinals. If the 4x gold medalists top their Group A, they would be facing the second-place team in Group C, which is likely to be Japan or Brazil in the last eight.