The U.S. women’s national team is making a change for the knockout rounds of the CONCACAF W Championship, as striker Ashley Hatch has departed camp with an injury. Following Monday’s conclusion of the USWNT’s Group A schedule, she will be replaced on the roster by uncapped Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey.
U.S. Soccer also announced that starting left back Emily Fox is in Covid protocols.
CONCACAF rules allow for teams to replace players due to injury between the group and knockout stages of the W Championship. Coffey will not be eligible to participate against Mexico on Monday, but will be available for the USWNT’s two knockout round games.
Hatch appeared to pick up a knock during the USWNT’s 5-0 win over Jamaica, and was substituted in the 61st minute. U.S. Soccer referred to the injury as a “muscle strain,” and a source with knowledge of the situation tells Pro Soccer Wire that Hatch’s injury is not believed to be serious.
USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski has referred to striker Alex Morgan as a starter during press conferences at the W Championship, but Hatch in all likelihood would have played some part in the three remaining games.
With Hatch coming out against Jamaica, Andonovski ended up deploying Trinity Rodman—normally a wide forward—as his No. 9. Other options include starting right forward Sophia Smith, or forward Midge Purce, but both have spent the large majority of their pro careers wide rather than as center forwards.
Coffey, a defensive midfielder, is certainly not a direct replacement for Hatch. However, the USWNT’s squad only includes one natural No. 6 in Andi Sullivan, and Andonovski has looked at Lindsey Horan and Kristie Mewis as options there during this lengthy international window. Coffey was called in ahead of the W Championship as part of the squad for pre-tournament friendlies against Colombia, but did not appear in either game.
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