Sam Mewis unlikely to play for US at World Cup after surgical procedure

Midfielder Sam Mewis has undergone a second knee surgical procedure and is unlikely to be obtainable to play for the United States on the Women’s World Cup this summer season.

Mewis, who additionally performs for the Kansas City Current within the National Women’s Soccer League, first had surgical procedure on her proper knee in August 2021. But she required one other surgical procedure final week, she announced Monday on social media.

“This has been a really difficult time for me personally and I’ve been devastated to be away from soccer so long,” she mentioned.

The loss is a blow to the United States as a result of the 30-year-old Mewis is taken into account top-of-the-line gamers on the planet at her place. Mewis can be anticipated to overlook the upcoming NWSL season with the Current.

“I don’t have a timeline for return to soccer, but I will give my best effort in my recovery as I always have,” Mewis mentioned.

Mewis was initially anticipated to be sidelined for 2 months after her first process. She was traded to the Current earlier than the 2022 season and made a pair of preseason appearances, however she hasn’t performed in a regular-season recreation with the group.

The Current purchased out Mewis’ earlier contract and signed her to a brand new settlement for 2023.

Mewis was on the U.S. group that received the World Cup in 2019. An everyday on the nationwide group since 2016 with 83 appearances, Mewis was voted the 2020 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year.

U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski hinted Mewis’ damage is likely to be extra severe than initially thought whereas the group was in New Zealand for coaching camp and a pair of matches earlier this month.

“At this point, I don’t want to guess what the time is or if she is going to be back at all,” Andonovski mentioned. “With Sam, it’s a long-term injury and at this point, we probably would not go into details for that.”

Mewis final performed for the United States on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics within the bronze-medal match towards Australia.

The group’s midfield may also seemingly be with out Julie Ertz, who took outing for the delivery of her son Madden in August and has not returned to coaching.

The United States has received the previous two World Cups and can vie to elevate a 3rd consecutive trophy this summer season. Hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the month-long event will get underway on July 20.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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