Tierna Davidson, a defender for the U.S. women`s national team, has unfortunately torn her ACL in her left knee. This happened while she was playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL on Friday.
This injury is a setback for USWNT coach Emma Hayes as she is planning to expand the team and develop new players for the 2027 Women`s World Cup.
Davidson was injured in the 44th minute of Friday`s game against Houston Dash. It was a non-contact injury to her left knee. She was able to walk off the field but was clearly upset. She was comforted by Gotham’s goalkeeper coach, Michelle Betos, before going to the locker room.
This is a significant loss for Gotham FC. Their strong defense, built under coach Juan Carlos Amoros, is a key part of their game. Davidson has started all three games this season alongside Emily Sonnett. Mandy Freeman replaced Davidson in Friday’s game and could take on a bigger role.
Davidson has had ACL injuries before. In 2022, she tore her ACL in her right knee while training with the Chicago Stars. She missed the entire 2022 season but returned in 2023. She didn`t make the World Cup team in 2023 initially but rejoined the national team afterward. She became a starter with Naomi Girma for the 2024 Olympics, where they won a gold medal.
USWNT to Test Defensive Options
While any long-term injury is bad news, this one comes at a time when Coach Hayes was already planning to experiment with the team. She is using this period after the Olympics to look at more players and try out new tactics, which she is expected to continue throughout 2025.
We will see some of these new ideas soon when the USWNT plays Brazil in two games this month. Hayes is currently without her starting center backs from the Olympics as Girma is also injured. However, she has other players available, including experienced players like Emily Sonnett and less experienced players like Alana Cook, Tara McKeown, and Emily Sams.
Cook played in the 2023 World Cup but could play her first minutes under Hayes. Sonnett and McKeown started two SheBelieves Cup games in February, and Sams played with Davidson in the other game. Sonnett also filled in for Davidson at the Olympics when Davidson had a minor injury.
Girma and Davidson are still expected to be the main starters for the 2027 World Cup, assuming they are healthy. This period will at least give Hayes a chance to see who else can step up in defense.
Davidson is one of several experienced USWNT players who will be out for a while after the Olympics. Only 10 players from the Olympic gold medal team are with the team this month. Hayes has not been able to work with her full team since the Olympics.
