Smith to Miss Rest of Season
June 3, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
After receiving an MRI earlier today, Philadelphia Charge midfielder/forward Kelly Smith has learned she will miss the remainder of the 2002 WUSA season with a torn ACL suffered Saturday night in a 0-0 draw against San Jose on June 1 at Villanova Stadium.
The WUSA's May Player of the Month (which will be announced this afternoon) suffered the injury in the 72nd minute when her knee awkwardly buckled while trying to make a move down the left flank 18 yards from the end line. Smith immediately hit the turf and was grabbing for her knee in obvious pain. She was removed from the field by a stretcher and was later taken to Bryn Mawr Hospital.
After the game, Head Coach Mark Krikorian said that Smith and other players (including San Jose's Brandi Chastain) heard a pop when the injury occurred. Smith, who stars for England's national team, is currently tied for second place in the WUSA in points with four goals and three assists for 11 points -- the exact totals she had during an injury-plagued 2001 season.
According to doctors, Smith's ACL tore away from her femur. Smith is scheduled to undergo surgery in 14 to 21 days and will begin a rehabilitation that will take six to 12 months. Doctors also stated that Smith may have suffered a lateral meniscus tear, but full details will not be known until after her surgery.
The WUSA Competition Committee is reviewing different scenarios for a replacement for Smith.
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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