The Portland Thorns have announced that United States midfielder Olivia Moultrie will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to an ACL injury. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the NWSL club.
The 20-year-old midfielder sustained the injury to her right knee during training last week and has been placed on the season-ending injury list.
“Heartbroken doesn’t even begin to capture what I’m feeling right now,” Moultrie shared on Instagram. “Being forced away from something I cherish so deeply is a feeling I never wanted to endure. I believe there’s a reason for this path that has been laid out for me, and while I can’t guarantee everything, I promise to return stronger than ever.”
This news is a significant setback for the Thorns, who currently sit fifth in the NWSL standings after 19 matches. Moultrie has made 16 appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing five assists.
“Olivia is one of the most determined players I’ve encountered, and I am confident she will channel that determination during her recovery and rehab,” stated Jeff Agoos, the Thorns’ president and general manager of soccer operations. “She has our complete support and access to every resource this club can offer.”
Unfortunately, this also means that Moultrie will miss the upcoming Concacaf W Championship, scheduled to be held from late November to early December in Texas, which is crucial for qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Moultrie was awarded U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Player of the Year for 2023 and has netted five goals in 18 outings for the senior national team, contributing to the team’s victory in the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup is set to begin on June 24 in Brazil.