United States captain and veteran defender Becky Sauerbrunn will not be included in the squad for the Women’s World Cup because of a foot injury she suffered in April, sources confirmed to ESPN.
Sauerbrunn, who won two World Cups with the USWNT, suffered a setback in her return to the Portland Thorns FC on June 3, sources said.
The news was first reported by The Athletic.
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Sauerbrunn is one of several injured American players to miss the tournament, which kicks off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, after attacker Mallory Swanson went down with a knee injury in April.
Midfield stalwarts Sam Mewis and Catarina Macario are also sidelined for the holders.
Sauerbrunn, 38, is one of the team’s longest-standing players with 216 international appearances. She helped the Americans to World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019. Her most recent international appearance was a friendly against Ireland in April.
Head coach Vlatko Andonovski is set to announce his 23-player squad imminently and reports said he informed players Thursday of whether he planned to include them.
Information from Reuters was used in this report.
