The U.S. women’s national team will have to do without Tierna Davidson and Jaedyn Shaw for Wednesday’s Olympic group finale against Australia.
Davidson was forced out of the team’s 4-1 win over Germany on Sunday, coming off in the first half after a knee-to-knee collision with Jule Brand.
The Gotham FC defender was replaced by her club teammate Emily Sonnett, who slotted into central defense alongside Naomi Girma.
On Tuesday, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes told the media Davidson would not recover in time for Wednesday’s match against the Matildas.
“She got a contusion because she got hit in her leg,” Hayes said. “Knee-on-knee situations can create a bit of swelling so that swelling will keep her out of this game.”
Hayes did not indicate who would replace Davidson, but Emily Sams is the only defensive option of the four alternates.
On Wednesday, U.S. Soccer confirmed it would indeed be Sams who replaced Davidson on the gameday squad.
Defender Tierna Davidson (leg contusion) is unavailable for the match against Australia and will be replaced on today’s 18-player roster by alternate Emily Sams.
Croix Bethune remains part of the matchday squad in place of Jaedyn Shaw (leg injury).
— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 31, 2024
The coach also ruled out Shaw for a third straight match. The San Diego Wave star suffered a “leg injury” in training the day before the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia.
The 19-year-old was replaced on the gameday squad by alternate Croix Bethune, who has yet to see any playing time at the Olympics.
The USWNT has already clinched a berth in the knockout stage with consecutive wins over Zambia and Germany, and can lock up first place in Group B with a win or draw against Australia.
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