USWNT's Davidson (knee) exits Gotham FC draw
Written by I Dig Sports
NJ/NY Gotham FC and U.S. women's national team defender Tierna Davidson exited Friday's NWSL 0-0 draw against the Houston Dash in the 44th minute due to a left knee injury.
A Gotham FC spokesperson confirmed the left knee injury and said that Davidson would be evaluated upon return to New Jersey.
"Tierna is a warrior, is our captain. It was devastating seeing her coming off the pitch how she did, but then seeing her on the pitch at the end of the game, it was also a message from her to the team of how strong she is," Gotham FC coach Juan Carlos Amorós said after the game.
"I know that whatever it is, we're gonna be with her, we're gonna support her. She's in safe hands. We have a fantastic medical team and I hope [the injury] is the minimum it can be because she's been outstanding for us and outstanding for her country."
Davidson, who won the 2019 World Cup and 2024 Olympics with the United States, was defending a cross near the endline when she fell to the ground and grabbed her left knee. She walked off the field with assistance from the trainers and was visibly upset.
After hugging assistant coach Michelle Betos on the sidelines and briefly sitting down, Davidson walked to the locker room with further assistance from a Gotham FC trainer.
Davidson tore her ACL in March 2022. She returned to the field in early 2023 but missed out on a roster spot at the 2023 World Cup as she continued to regain her form.
She was called up to the USWNT roster for an upcoming pair of games against Brazil, which serve as rematches of the 2024 Olympic gold-medal match. Davidson was one of the USWNT's starting centerbacks at the Olympics alongside Naomi Girma.
Girma has not appeared for the USWNT in 2025 and is not on the latest roster, as she deals with an ongoing calf injury.