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Vlatko Andonovski has an extended listing of accidents plaguing the U.S. ladies’s nationwide workforce. The pinnacle coach introduced his 24-player roster for upcoming friendlies in opposition to Germany on Nov. 10 and Nov. 13 after which provided updates on a number of gamers.
“Everyone is trying promising,” he mentioned. “Till we see them again on the sphere, clearly we can’t say something for certain.”
Andonovski gave updates on injured gamers and their restoration time tables. He additionally spoke about gamers like Julie Ertz and Casey Krueger who not too long ago gave start to kids.
Lynn Williams is the closest member of the U.S. to return to motion. Williams did some mild coaching together with her membership, the Kansas Metropolis Present, in current weeks. She was not on the workforce’s roster within the NWSL Championship, the place the Present fell 2-0 to the Portland Thorns, however was with the workforce for the journey.
Andonovski mentioned that Williams may very well be again in January, when the U.S. ladies will play in New Zealand for the primary time in a pair of video games in opposition to the 2023 World Cup co-hosts.
“Lynn Williams is coaching full. She simply had slightly set again, however we anticipate her to be again and accessible for choice in January.”
In the meantime, Andonovski mentioned that Mewis will “take a while” together with her lingering knee damage. Mewis was additionally available in Washington, D.C., for the NWSL Championship.
“Sam goes to take slightly bit longer,” he mentioned. “Proper now, we’re simply giving her slightly little bit of time to see how she’s going to strategy her PT.”
One other participant seeking to come again early subsequent 12 months is Catarina Macario. The 23-year-old tore her ACL forward of the Concacaf W Championship, however has been rehabbing on the FIFA Rehab Middle in Qatar. Andonovski mentioned that she’s nonetheless in Qatar and has been recovering effectively.
“Final week, she began doing leaping for the primary time, and did some operating, which is a good step ahead for her,” Andonovski mentioned. “She’s doing actually good. As of proper now, it’s exhausting to foretell when she’s going to be again. Clearly, now we have some thought, and if she doesn’t have any setbacks, we might see her again on the sphere in late February. We by no means understand how rehab goes to go.”
Defensive damage listing is lengthy
On the defensive facet of the ball, the accidents are lengthy.
Abby Dahlkemper not too long ago was listed with a again damage by her membership, San Diego Wave FC. Dahlkemper had a irritating 2022 season, solely enjoying eight matches. Andonovski mentioned she may have surgical procedure within the coming days.
“She’s going to have a surgical procedure and she or he’s going by way of some powerful occasions, unfortunatly, with three consecutive accidents, back-to-back,” Andonovski mentioned. “We’re simply hoping all the things goes effectively as soon as she has the surgical procedure we’re going to know extra exact what the return for her goes to be.”
Emily Sonnett and Kelley O’Hara, each members of the protection and the Washington Spirit, are additionally recovering from their respective accidents.
“Sonnett is recovering effectively. She simply began low-ball work and we anticipate her to be accessible for choice in January,” Andonovski mentioned. “Identical factor is with Kelley, who really is recovering effectively and performing some PT, and also will be anticipated to be again in January.”
In the meantime, Tierna Davidson has been coaching together with her Chicago Crimson Stars teammates. Casey Krueger, who gave start to her son in July, has additionally been coaching with the Crimson Stars.
“Tierna is trying actually good,” Andonovski mentioned. “She’s really began coaching slightly bit. We anticipate her to be in full coaching in the course of November. She can be accessible for the January roster… [Casey] really did some coaching with Chicago earlier than they bought eradicated [in the NWSL Playoffs]. She’s in coaching with a bunch of gamers with Chicago ,even after this season. Trying ahead to seeing her in camp, as effectively.”
New moms look to make U.S. comeback
New mom Crystal Dunn, who scored the game-winning aim in Portland’s semifinal in opposition to the Wave and appeared within the 73rd minute within the NWSL Championship, is predicted to see extra minutes on the pitch, however remains to be slowly being built-in again.
“Crystal remains to be in minutes administration,” Andonovski mentioned. “We do anticipate to see her in a couple of extra minutes than the final recreation. We’ll know extra after we get the info from final week together with her membership workforce.”
Andonovski additionally gave an replace to Julie Ertz, who solely performed one match with the U.S. in 2021 and not too long ago gave start to her son in August. The U.S. coach mentioned that Ertz — who was traded to Angel Metropolis FC within the 2021-22 offseason, is “having fun with motherhood.”
“Clearly, I’ve been in contact with Julie this entire time,” Andonovski mentioned. “We’re blissful for her and her household. She’s having fun with motherhood and may be very blissful, and she or he’s doing an awesome job at it. We wish to give Julie time to get again slowly. This isn’t one thing that we’ll even focus on. That is time for Julie to have the time as a household. When the time comes, if she’s ready and if she’s anyplace close to her finest, this workforce will welcome her again.”
In the meantime, Christen Press and Tobin Heath are recovering from their accidents. Press tore her ACL this season with Angel Metropolis, whereas Heath joined OL Reign in the summertime switch window and had knee surgical procedure in September.
Christen and Tobin are recovering, and Christen had only a slight setback, however she’ll be most likely slightly bit behind Cat,” Andonovski mentioned.
Andonovski mentioned that corrections from the losses to England and Spain will include coaching, but in addition with the return of gamers from accidents.
“This workforce might look barely completely different, or considerably completely different, three, 4 or 5 months from now,” Andonovski defined. “Simply from the final recreation, Alex [Morgan] and Mal [Pugh] are again, Emily Fox is again, who bought injured early within the recreation. Sofia Huerta is now 90 minutes cleared. She had restrictions within the earlier video games. Crystal goes to have further minutes. Cat Macario might come again and, very doubtless, slot in one of many beginning positions, if she is anyplace close to her finest. There may be risk of different gamers to be again. We are able to’t overlook Julie Ertz, Tierna Davidson or Kelley O’Hara. They’ve skills to be starters on this workforce. It doesn’t matter what, now we have to get higher, however there are some issues which will change by altering the personnel.”
