On Friday night, NJ/NY Gotham FC was on the road again looking for their 1st win of the 2025 NWSL season. They started their season with a victory on March 15 against the Seattle Reign FC at Shell Stadium, but lost 0-2 against Orlando Pride. It was a race to get back on the winning path. The 3rd game against Houston Dash on March 28 also ended with a 0-0 draw. But it gave an even bigger headache as their defender and captain Tierna Davidson got injured.

Trying to close down her former teammate, Yazmeen Ryan, Davidson landed awkwardly on her left leg and fell down immediately in pain. Hearts of fans also sank as she grabbed her left knee in pain. They were worried. It’s still early in the season.

Her teammates came to her rescue. Goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger tried to provide moral support as Tierna Davidson slammed her hand on the ground in frustration. Trainers and teammates helped her leave the field as Defender Mandy Freeman arrived as a substitute in the 44th minute. She also took up the responsibility of the captain.

The scenes on the sidelines made everyone even more emotional. Michelle Betos, Gotham’s assistant goalkeeper coach, hugged her before Davidson left for the locker room. A spokesperson later announced the unfortunate update, “Gotham FC captain Tierna Davidson suffered a left knee injury in Friday’s match at Houston and was substituted off in the 44th minute. She will be evaluated upon return to New Jersey.”

She came back on the field in a knee brace. The HC, Juan Carlos Amorós, was impressed with her strength and commented, “It was devastating seeing her coming off the pitch how she did, but then seeing her on the pitch at the end of the game, it was a message from her to the team of how strong she is.” That’s a good sign, but we still have to wait.

Sudden injury has put many plans in jeopardy. The entire NWSL season lies ahead. The Gotham FC are still without their first win, while the USWNT will also have to explore the center back depth.

Tierna Davidson’s injury spells doom for Gotham FC and USWNT

A respected figure in the football community, the center back has won the Olympic gold and FIFA World Cup. She is a seasoned veteran. USWNT HC Emma Hayes had chosen her for the upcoming friendly games against Brazil next week in California. But seems like the injury will force the USWNT head coach to look for other options.

The USWNT is already struggling at center back position with Naomi Girma recovering from a calf injury. But Hayes will still feel lucky as 2025 is the start of the World Cup and Olympics cycle. Overall, the players would want her to return fast as she recently became the president of the USWNT Players Association.

Gotham FC, though, would want Tierna Davidson to be back soon. They have plenty of new players. And the management pinned their hopes on the center back. She was responsible for guiding the young blood in a purposeful direction. The Athletic’s Melanie Anzidei and Meg Linehan think if she stays out for an extended period, the rookie Lilly Reale will get a chance to make a bigger impact.

In March 2022, she tore ACL in her right knee, which forced her out of the remaining season. Fans wouldn’t want that to happen. It’s perhaps a matter of a few days before the next update is out.