U.S. women’s national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn is out for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The center back has been dealing with a foot injury since April while with Portland Thorns FC. She released a statement on social media, confirming earlier reporting by The Athletic of her eventual absence on the soon-to-be-named 23-player roster.
Sauerbrunn is a two-time World Cup champion, Olympic Gold and Bronze Medalist, three-time NWSL Champion, and has 216 caps with the national team. Those are just the standout accolades for an individual who has long been looked to as an example for teammates on and off the pitch. Praise for the player has typically gone beyond the not only her defensive abilities on the pitch. She’s endeared for her ability to think of her teammates first, pursuing equitable rights for years, all while still shutting down attackers in games.
“Heartbroken isn’t even the half of it. But that’s sports for you and that’s life, really. I had hoped and worked and hoped some more to make it back in time to help lead the team at this World Cup, but after lots of discussion, unfortunately, there’s just too much variability in my return to play timeline,” Sauerbrunn wrote on social…
