USWNT defender Emily Sonnett stretchered off in Gotham FC draw with Portland Thorns

In a dramatic encounter at Providence Park, Gotham FC and United States women’s national team defender Emily Sonnett was stretchered off following a non-contact knee injury in the early moments of their match against the Portland Thorns. The incident occurred in the 7th minute when Sonnett attempted to defend a player, her left foot planting into the artificial turf. She immediately fell to the ground and called for medical assistance.

A Gotham FC spokesperson later confirmed, “Gotham FC defender Emily Sonnett left Friday’s match at Portland with a suspected left knee injury. She will receive further evaluation in New Jersey.”

Impact of Sonnett’s Injury

The injury left Gotham’s players visibly shaken. Winger Midge Purce described the incident as “scary,” while forward Sam Kerr noted that it “kind of rattled us a little bit.” Acting head coach Shaun Harris expressed the team’s disappointment, stating, “It’s always hard when you lose one of your best players.” Sonnett is a vital component of Gotham’s defense, leading the league with only 10 goals conceded in 15 matches prior to the game.

Match Highlights

Despite the early setback, Gotham managed to open the scoring just two minutes into the match, with Purce finding the back of the net. However, Portland quickly responded with Renee Lyles equalizing in the 21st minute, marking her first professional goal. The Thorns then took the lead eight minutes after halftime through Jessie Fleming.

Kerr’s equalizer in the 62nd minute, her first goal since her return to the league, brought the match to a 2-2 draw. This goal extended her league record to 78 regular season goals. The game took a turn when Thorns defender Jayden Perry received a red card for denying Kerr a clear goal-scoring opportunity, but Gotham was unable to capitalize on the numerical advantage.

Kerr remarked, “I thought we were quite poor today… happy that we didn’t concede in the end.” The match also marked a significant return for Thorns forward Morgan Weaver, who played her first official minutes since November 2024 after a lengthy recovery from a knee injury.

As the season progresses, Sonnett’s health will be crucial for Gotham FC and for her potential inclusion in the FIFA World Cup 2026 roster, pending her recovery and performance.

FAQs

What happened to Emily Sonnett during the match?

Emily Sonnett suffered a non-contact knee injury and was stretchered off early in the match.

When did Morgan Weaver return to play after her injury?

Morgan Weaver returned to play in the 76th minute, marking her first official minutes since November 2024.