Carli Lloyd likely to miss 3-6 weeks to due MCL sprain

Carli Lloyd suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain during an NWSL match against the Orlando Pride on Saturday and will likely miss 3-6 weeks.

The Houston Dash and U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Carli Lloyd sustained the injury during a NWSL match against the Orlando Pride on Saturday, April 23. During the fourth minute of the game, she planted her leg awkwardly, but she tried to play through the injury until being pulled from the match in the 13th minute of regulation.

After receiving her diagnosis, Lloyd assured her fans that she was in good spirits and still had intentions to be ready for the Olympics in a few months.

"“I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes. Obviously, I’m very disappointed with the injury. I was feeling great and starting to get comfortable with my Dash teammates,” Lloyd said. “The timing is not great but I’m confident that I will come back in peak condition. Rehab starts tomorrow and you’ll see me on the field soon.”"

Dash head coach Randy Waldrum said in a statement to the press, “We all are thinking positive thoughts for Carli as she focuses on getting healthy soon, just like we have for Melissa Henderson, Morgan Brian and Cari Roccaro…I appreciate all of our fans and their concerns and well wishes! The Dash will take the ‘next player up’ approach as we prepare for Sky Blue this Friday.”

Lloyd was named the 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year and helped win the USWNT win the 2015 World Cup with her stellar hat-trick in the opening 16 minutes of the final game against Japan. She is also a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.

The Houston Dash return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Friday, April 29 to host Sky Blue FC at 7:30  PM CT.  Sky Blue FC defeated Seattle Reign FC to open the season and fell 2-1 against the Washington Spirit on Sunday.

For more Soccer news, be sure to visit our hub page.