Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie will miss the remainder of the National Women's Soccer League season after suffering a torn ACL, the club confirmed Tuesday.
The 20-year-old, who also represents the United States national team, sustained the injury to her right knee during a training session last week. The Thorns announced her placement on the season-ending injury list shortly afterward.
Moultrie shared the news with fans on Instagram, expressing the emotional toll of the setback. "Heartbroken doesn't even begin to sum up all of the feelings right now," she wrote. "To be taken away from something you love more than anything is a feeling I never wanted to experience. I know there is a reason this path has been chosen for me and I can't promise everything but I can promise I'll be back and I'll be better."
The injury comes at a difficult moment for Moultrie, who had been enjoying a productive campaign for Portland, contributing five goals and five assists across her appearances this season. Her absence is expected to extend beyond club duty, as she is likely to miss the upcoming Concacaf W Championship, the tournament that doubles as qualification for next summer's Women's World Cup.
Moultrie has become one of the more recognizable names in American women's soccer since joining the Thorns in 2021, a move that followed her successful legal challenge against an NWSL rule that had barred teams from signing players under the age of 18. Since then, she has grown into a regular contributor for both club and country, earning 18 caps for the U.S. national team and scoring five goals at the international level. Her rapid rise was further recognized in 2023, when she was named U.S. Soccer's Young Player of the Year.
Thorns president and general manager Jeff Agoos voiced confidence in Moultrie's ability to bounce back from the injury, praising her work ethic and determination. "Olivia is one of the most driven players I have been around, and she will use that drive during her recovery and rehabilitation," Agoos said in a statement released by the club. "She has our full support and every resource this club can put behind her."
ACL injuries have become an increasingly discussed issue in women's soccer in recent years, with numerous high-profile players across various leagues sidelined for extended periods due to similar knee injuries. Recovery timelines for such injuries typically range from nine months to a year, meaning Moultrie's path back to full fitness will likely stretch into next season.
Her absence represents a significant loss for both the Thorns, who will need to adjust their midfield options without one of their most dynamic playmakers, and for the U.S. national team, which will be without a talented young option as it prepares for the Concacaf W Championship and looks ahead to World Cup qualification implications.
Despite the setback, Moultrie's message conveyed a sense of resolve about her recovery process. Her teammates, coaching staff, and supporters will now watch closely as she begins the rehabilitation journey, with hopes that she can return to the form that has made her one of the sport's promising young talents in the United States.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.