Mallory Pugh, the rising U.S. women’s national team star in her second season with the Washington Spirit, will probably miss several weeks with a right knee injury suffered in a National Women’s Soccer League match Sunday in Houston.
The Spirit and U.S. Soccer Federation announced Thursday that their respective medical staffs are evaluating the 20-year-old attacker, who will undergo additional testing “to determine the extent of the injury.”
Based on initial reviews, Pugh is not likely to need surgery. However, an official diagnosis and prognosis has not yet been determined.
Pugh will not play Saturday against the Chicago Red Stars at Maryland SoccerPlex and seems almost certain to miss the June 8 trip to Sky Blue FC. The injury has also rendered her unavailable for national team friendlies against China on June 7 in Sandy, Utah, and June 12 in Cleveland.
Pugh has played in every match this season for the Spirit (2-6-2), starting nine times and recording two goals and one assist. Her five goals in six U.S. matches this year tie her with Alex Morgan for the national team lead.
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