There's an ACL epidemic in women's soccer, and Canada's Cloé Lacasse is the latest victim.
On Wednesday, the Utah Royals announced their star forward has been placed on the season-ending injury list with a ruptured ACL and a sprained MCL.
The CanWNT mainstay will also miss a portion of the 2025 NWSL season, as well as any international breaks until she is healed.
The 31-year-old injured her knee in the Royals' match against Angel City on Oct. 20. Since then, the winger has undergone successful surgery and will work with Utah's medical staff on a return to play program.
On Oct. 21, Lacasse withdrew from the Canada camp ahead of its international friendly with Spain, with Benfica's Marie-Yasmine Alidou taking her place. Canada went on to draw the current world champions 1-1, with Alidou netting the only goal for Les Rouges.
Since joining the NWSL side in August, Lacasse has been a lynchpin for the Royals’ attack, scoring four goals in nine games. The Sudbury, Ont.-native also recorded the club’s first ever hat trick on Oct. 13, and the first hat trick of the NWSL season in 2024.
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