Rapinoe to miss USA training camp after sustaining right knee injury
United States women's national team midfielder Megan Rapinoe strained a ligament in her right knee and will miss the remainder of USA's current January training camp, U.S. announced on Monday afternoon.
Rapinoe, who has scored 29 international goals in 96 international caps for the United States, left training camp and returned home to continue rehabilitation, leaving the USA with 28 players for the final week of training. The former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder played for Seattle Reign FC in the National Women's Soccer League the past two seasons, helping the club win the regular season title and earn a trip to the final in 2014.
Though the injury is not considered serious, Rapinoe's absence comes at a critical junctures for the U.S. as the Women's World Cup in Canada is just five months away. The Americans were drawn into Group D, which will pit the world's longtime No. 1 team against Australia, Sweden and Nigeria. They play Australia first in Winnipeg on June 8; followed by Sweden, also in Winnipeg on June 12; and Nigeria in Vancouver on June 16.
USA's next games are scheduled for Feb. 8 against France, in Lorient (live, Sunday, 12 p.m. ET), and Feb. 13 against England, in Milton Keynes (live, Friday, FOX Sports 1, 3 p.m. ET).
Current Training Camp Roster:
Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (FC Kansas City), Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers) and Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC).
Defenders: Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City) and Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns FC).
Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), Morgan Brian (Virginia), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), Kristie Mewis (Boston Breakers), Samantha Mewis (UCLA) and Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City).
Forwards: Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City) and Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash).
Information from FOXSoccer.com's newswire services contributed to this report.
