The United States women’s national soccer team concludes the group stage of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday with a match against Australia.
Even though it’s a match against the world’s No. 12 team in one of the most prestigious international tournaments, the stakes are low for the Americans. With a 3-0 win over Zambia last Thursday and a 4-1 victory over No. 4 Germany last Sunday, the United States sits atop Group B and has already secured its spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
Yet for a team looking to establish itself as the best women’s national team in the world and win its first Olympic gold medal since 2012, every game matters, especially as the Americans acclimate to new manager Emma Hayes.
REQUIRED READING:Follow USA TODAY Sports’ coverage of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
The next step in this quest, however, will be without one of their most important players.
2024 Olympic Medals: Who’s leading the medal count? Follow us to track the medal count in each sport.
Here’s what you need to know about USWNT defender Tierna Davidson and her status ahead of the match against Australia:
Tierna Davidson Injury Update
Davidson will miss the USWNT’s group stage finale against Australia on Wednesday with a knee bruise.
The 25-year-old NJ/NY Gotham FC player was injured in Sunday’s blowout win over Germany following a knee-to-knee collision with Jule Brand in the 44th minute. Although she was able to leave the field under her own power, Davidson did not return to the field.
“She was hit in the leg,” Hayes told reporters. “Knee-on-knee situations can create a little swelling, which will keep her out of this game.”
The Athletic reported that Davidson was at the USWNT’s practice session on Tuesday, but was on a warm-up bike off to the side and did not participate in drills with the team.
Even if it’s only for one game, Davidson’s absence will be notable for several reasons.
For one, the Americans have just one defensive substitute, Emily Sams, who was added to the 18-player active roster due to Davidson’s absence. Emily Sonnett took Davidson’s place in the starting lineup, which had not changed between the games against Zambia and Germany.
Davidson has been a key part of the USWNT’s stout defense. The Americans have conceded just one goal in their first two games at the Paris Olympics and have shut out each of their four opponents in pre-Olympic friendlies since Hayes made his managerial debut on June 1.
At 20, Davidson was the youngest player on the USWNT’s 2019 Women’s World Championship squad. She has made 62 national team appearances for the USWNT, during which time she has recorded seven assists and three goals.
