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Moultrie injury thins USWNT midfield
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Olivia Moultrie tore her ACL, ending her NWSL season. Her recovery race threatens her 2027 World Cup spot.
Background
Olivia Moultrie, a 20-year-old midfielder for the Portland Thorns and USWNT, suffered a torn ACL in early August 2026. The injury ends her NWSL season and puts her participation in the 2027 World Cup in Brazil, which starts in just over 300 days, in doubt. ACL recoveries typically take 9-12 months, meaning she might return only a month before squads are due.
How it unfolded
- early August 2026Moultrie tears her ACL during a match, ending her season.
- Aug 21, 2026ESPN re-ranks NWSL players, noting Moultrie is no longer playing and can't be considered among the best right now.
- Aug 25, 2026Portland Thorns place Moultrie on the season-ending injury list.
- Aug 26, 2026The Guardian publishes analysis on how her injury thins the USWNT midfield ahead of the World Cup.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- There are few like-for-like replacements for Moultrie's tidy and dangerous possession play, making her recovery crucial.
- Caution
- Even the short end of the ACL recovery timeline would put her back on the pitch only a month before squads are due.