Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan injuries dampen USWNT win
In a game when the USWNT beat Sweden 2-0, injuries to Julie Ertz and Alex Morgan leave questions and possible ramifications for the knockout round.
Coming into Thursday’s meeting, the big question was whether the USWNT could actually beat Sweden, which drew with Americans at the 2015 World Cup and eliminated the U.S. on penalties from the 2016 Rio Olympics.
A Lindsey Horan third-minute strike and a 50th minute Jonna Andersson own goal ended any hope of a Swedish victory as the Americans locked up Group F with a 2-0 win over the Swedes, while also topping Norway’s 1995 group-stage record with 17 goals.
After the game, the biggest question is not about Thursday’s win, but the status of key players heading into the knockout round. The U.S. lineup had one major surprise when Julie Ertz was not included in Thursday’s starting lineup with a minor hip injury.
Ertz appeared in defense and midfield in the first two wins over Thailand and Chile.
Julie Ertz is probably the US's most indispensable player in the World Cup. I'm told the injury isn't too serious.
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At halftime, Carli Lloyd replaced Alex Morgan, who left with her own injury. Morgan has dealt with numerous ankle and knee injuries throughout her career and the U.S. will hope this was just a precautionary move.
Jill Ellis says she took off Alex Morgan after 45 minutes due to “a knock” in the first half. Says it was precautionary, similar to holding out Julie Ertz.
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https://twitter.com/TomCapo57/status/1141815753689067520
Morgan is tied with Australia’s Sam Kerr with five goals, all against Thailand, while Ertz has scored and defended with her usual strength.
Injuries are what teams do not wish for at a World Cup, but depth helps them overcome key absences. If Morgan and Ertz are unavailable for the Spain game, the USWNT has a load of ideal replacements.
Lloyd, Christien Press and Mallory Pugh could start up front. Horan, Rose Lavelle, and Sam Mewis largely controlled Sweden’s midfield.
If the U.S. advances past Spain, France would likely be the next opponent. Ertz and Morgan would like be needed for that game if the U.S. wants to reclaim its World Cup.
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Luckily, Ertz and Morgan will not have to worry about playing in a knockout game until Monday’s game in Reims, which should give both players a chance at healing their injuries.