Swanson injury overshadows USWNT win over Ireland, Ertz’s return

Swanson’s injury is the major talking point for the USWNT

The U.S. women’s national team got a win in Austin, but it might have come at a major cost.

The USWNT’s 2-0 win over Ireland was marred by what looks to be a serious injury to star forward Mallory Swanson. The Chicago Red Stars attacker was stretchered off just before halftime and taken to a local hospital for examinations.

That will leave the U.S. facing a very nervous wait with just three months left until the World Cup kicks off.

A sluggish start from the USWNT very nearly ended in an Irish goal, as an 18th minute corner picked out Louise Quinn open at the back post. Quinn’s header back across goal beat Alyssa Naeher, but was cleared off the line by Alex Morgan.

Kyra Carusa was then denied from virtually no angle, with Naeher first blocking her shot then having to claw the rebound away from an empty net before USWNT defenders provided a series of blocks to keep things scoreless.

Swanson came through a collision with Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, and the stoppage while she received treatment for an apparent neck injury ended up being used to sort some issues out. Suddenly the tempo was lifted, and within seven minutes, Emily Fox handed the USWNT the lead.

Sophia Smith got around Heather Payne along the touchline, and though Ireland scrambled that initial thrust clear, their lack of composure in doing so let the USWNT regain possession instantly. Andi Sullivan and Crystal Dunn kept the play alive, with Fox eventually storming forward to fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

However, the game’s biggest story had nothing to do with the scoreboard. Swanson was caught late by Ireland defender Aoife Mannion after making a pass, and had to exit the match on a stretcher with a potentially serious knee injury.

Swanson’s replacement Trinity Rodman had two good looks in a minute, scooping one over the bar and heading too close to Brosnan after a cross from Rose Lavelle picked her out in the 57th minute.

Julie Ertz made her long-awaited USWNT return in the 67th minute, moments before Lavelle’s bobbling shot ended up being touched onto the post by Brosnan.

Ertz’s ball into the area found Horan in the 79th minute, and as the Lyon midfielder tried to turn, Diane Caldwell was caught holding her shirt. Ireland protested, but the penalty kick was given, and Horan converted herself to make it 2-0.

Ireland gave the U.S. one last scare, as another Quinn header on a set piece ended up floating barely wide. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday in St. Louis, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30pm Eastern.

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