Charge's Smith Tears ACL, Out for Season
Published on June 3, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
Villanova, PA (June 3, 2001) - Philadelphia Charge captain and midfielder Kelly Smith was diagnosed with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament in her right knee Monday and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Smith, who underwent an MRI earlier in the day, suffered the injury during the Charge's scoreless tie to the defending WUSA champion San Jose CyberRays Saturday night.
According Dr. William DeLong, Charge team physician, Smith's ACL tore away from the femur, not in half. Smith may also have a tear of the lateral meniscus, but that won't be determined until the time of the surgery, which is expected to take place in 14-21 days when swelling goes down and Smith regains full range of motion.
This is the first time Smith will be undergoing any type of reconstruction on her knees and if everything goes as planned, she is expected to be back at full strength for next season.
Smith, a member of England's National Team, suffered the non-contact injury when making a pass in the 72nd minute to teammate Zhao Lihong on the left flank 18 yards from the end line Saturday night. Smith immediately went to the turf in obvious pain and was carted off the field in a stretcher.
In other team news on Monday, Smith was named the WUSA Player of the Month for May. In a landslide vote, Smith garnered 13 of 15 first-place votes and two second-place votes for 27 points. She outdistanced teammate Marinette Pichon and Boston's Maren Meinert, the second-place finishers, by 22 points.
Smith tallied two goals and three assists in May, helping the Charge post a 3-1-0 mark in the month. She also received Player of the Week accolades in month, after recording a goal and an assist against the Washington Freedom on May 11.
Smith ends her season with four goals and three assists for 11 points - the same totals she had during an injury-plagued 2001 campaign.
Pichon, an offseason addition to the Charge roster from France, garnered the remaining two first place votes. She is tied for 10th in the league in scoring with three goals and an assist for seven points. Her second-place finish in voting for Player of the Month was aided by her three-goal May.
The Charge next take to the turf on Saturday, June 8 at 4 p.m. when they host Mia Hamm and the Washington Freedom for Heather Mitts Bobblehead Day.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 3, 2002
- Charge's Smith Tears ACL, Out for Season - Philadelphia Charge
- Smith to Miss Rest of Season - WUSA
- Carolina Courage Notebook - Carolina Courage
- Philadelphia's Smith Named May Player of the Month; Washington's Mullinix Named Player of the Week - Philadelphia Charge
- Beat Extends Winning Streak Looks for Fourth Straight in New York - Atlanta Beat
- WUSA Clarifies Comments about Playboy.com - WUSA
- Charge's Smith to Have MRI Today - Philadelphia Charge
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