U.S. Women Win a World Cup Soccer Tuneup but Lose a Top Scorer

AUSTIN (Texas) -- The United States defeated Ireland by a score of 2-0 in a warm-up match for the Women's World Cup on Saturday. However, the top scorer in this year's tournament was lost when Mallory Swanson suffered what appeared to be an injury to her left leg late in the opening half.

Aoife Manion, the Irish defender, challenged Swanson in the 40th minute after she took a left-wing pass, turned and ran upfield. Swanson, who was crying and holding her left knee in pain, fell to the ground. No foul call was made. She was consoled by several teammates.

The woman was put on a stretcher, her leg immobilized. She made a heart with her hands as she was being carried off the field. According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Soccer Federation, she was taken to hospital.

Swanson's failure to recover in time to play in the World Cup, scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20, could be a major blow to United States hopes of winning their third world championship in a row.

Vlatko andonovski, the coach, said that they did not know the full extent of the injury. I'm hoping to hear good news soon.

Andonovski reported that Swanson smiled as she left the stadium and told him, "Coach, I will be good." I promise that I will be good.

Andonovski replied: "You're stronger that me."

Mannion nudged Swanson in the 24th minute into Ireland's goalkeeper. Swanson was down for several moments before she resumed play. This time, however, she didn't get up. Trinity Rodman was brought in to replace her.

Swanson has already scored seven goals this year in just five games, and six games in a row overall. She was on the rise after she was left off the United States Olympic team in Tokyo for 2021. This omission, which she described as crushing, had made her ascendant. She admitted that she was lost for a while.

In the past, Americans have always been able to replace injured players. Abby Wambach, the star forward of the United States, broke her tibia (left leg) and fibula (right leg) before the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The United States still won the gold without her.

Emily Fox scored the first goal in Saturday's match at the 37th minute. She fired a low shot from outside of the penalty area inside the left post. This was her first national team goal in 28 matches. Lindsey Horan, a midfielder for the United States, extended their lead to 2-0 in the 80th minute with a penalty shot.

Image

Julie Ertz made her first United States appearance since the Tokyo Olympics in August last year, after giving birth. She was then given a yellow card four minutes later. If Ertz is fully fit, she will provide the much-needed grit to the defensive midfield.

The United States will face Ireland again in St. Louis on Tuesday, the final American match before the 23-player World Cup team is announced. In group play, the United States will be playing against Vietnam, the Netherlands and Portugal.