USWNT Rising Star Mia Fishel Sidelined from Concacaf W Gold Cup Due to ACL Injury; Alex Morgan Steps In as Replacement

Highly touted U.S. women’s national team prospect Mia Fishel has been dealt a setback after suffering an ACL tear during training, ruling her out of contention for the Concacaf W Gold Cup. This unfortunate injury likely dashes her hopes of securing a spot on the Olympic roster in July. Veteran forward Alex Morgan has been called up as her replacement for the tournament, where she will be eligible to compete.

Fishel, who made her USWNT debut last fall, quickly garnered attention as one of the team’s most promising talents amidst their rebuilding phase following the disappointment of the Women’s World Cup. She showcased her potential by scoring her first international goal in September and forming a burgeoning partnership with fellow rising star Jaedyn Shaw during a match against Colombia.

The USWNT has been actively reshaping its attack in the aftermath of the World Cup, where scoring goals emerged as a significant challenge. Morgan, despite leading the line during the tournament, struggled to find the back of the net amid a challenging year. With the upcoming Olympics roster featuring fewer spots, the competition for positions has intensified.

Sophia Smith has emerged as a frontrunner for the center forward role, while Fishel and Morgan were expected to vie for the role of understudy to Smith. However, with Fishel sidelined, Morgan now has an opportunity to bolster her chances of securing a place in the squad for Paris. Nonetheless, with other contenders like Shaw, Mallory Swanson, and Catarina Macario also in contention, the battle for spots in the USWNT’s attacking lineup remains fiercely competitive.