USWNT and NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce will undergo surgery for a torn ACL, the player and her club announced Wednesday.
“This is a reality I still struggle with and leaves me with little to say,” Purce wrote on social media.
The season-ending injury occurred Sunday in Gotham’s season opener against the Portland Thorns. Purce left the game just before the end of the first half after repeated blows to his knee.
“I am heartbroken to no longer be available for my season with Gotham FC or for Olympic selection with the USWNT – please know that I support you both throughout the year,” Purce said. “Even if you don’t see it, I will do everything I can to get back on the field.”
📰 | Midge Purce suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
I wish you a speedy recovery, Midge. 🖤
– NJ/NY Gotham FC (@GothamFC) March 27, 2024
Purce, who was left out of last year’s World Cup squad, was a big hope for Emma Hayes’ Olympic team this summer. She recently helped the USWNT win the team’s first CONCACAF W Gold Cup title earlier this month in the event’s inaugural year in San Diego.
The loss of Purce is a big blow for the defending NWSL champions. The 28-year-old was crowned NWSL Championship MVP last year when Gotham FC won their first league title. The team has also recently been without other veterans like Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams, who were missing from Gotham’s lineup Sunday due to injuries.
Gotham was motivated to win its first game of the NWSL season for the veteran forward, team coach Juan Carlos Amorós told reporters after the match.
“The players, myself, the staff, we wanted to win after what happened to him,” he said.
Amorós has been expressing concerns for weeks that player well-being is being negatively affected by a busy competition schedule. This pre-season, Gotham was without seven of its players called up for the Gold Cup.
“We are talking about protecting the players,” Amorós said. “(Players should not) go and play an international competition after a week of pre-season. We are seeing the consequences now. We have Rose, Lynn (injured). Last week, I think it was Debinha in Kansas (City). Now we have Midge. And these players, unfortunately, in my experience, the clubs will continue to pay (the cost) for this competition. Unfortunately, in this case, it was Midge.
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(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)