United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, the hero of her team’s quarterfinal victory in the Olympic women’s soccer tournament, left the team’s semifinal match against Canada on Monday with a knee injury.
Naeher was injured in an awkward fall while leaping to intercept a Canada cross in the 20th minute. Colliding with teammate Julie Ertz as Canada’s Nichelle Prince raced by both of them on the challenge, Naeher landed with her right leg extended. Her right knee appeared to bend backward as her foot stuck in the turf.
Naeher immediately rolled over in obvious pain, and the game was stopped so she could receive treatment. Lying on her back and then sitting up, she was attended to by two U.S. trainers for about six minutes before deciding to stay in the game.
But about four minutes later, after the United States won a goal kick, Naeher took it and, swinging her right leg hard for the first time, aggravated the injury. She hopped on her landing, realized she could not continue and waved to the bench immediately, calling for a substitute.