MANCHESTER, England : Canada and Portland Thorns forward Janine Beckie has joined the growing chorus calling for better research into the prevalence of injuries in women's soccer, saying that alarm bells would ring if their male counterparts were suffering the same fate.
The 28-year-old, who helped Canada capture gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is among a group of players who will miss the Women's World Cup that kicks off on July 20 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee.
England captain and Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson last week became the latest marquee player - and third for Arsenal this season along with Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema - to rupture an ACL.
Spain's Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Simone Magill of Northern Ireland and France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto have also damaged ACLs in the past year. "I do believe that if the same thing happened even with Arsenal's men's side with probably their three best players, that should be enough for a: 'Why is this happening?