U.S. women’s national team defender Tierna Davidson has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2025 season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in Gotham FC’s match against the Houston Dash last week, the team announced Wednesday morning.
The 26-year-old will be placed on the league’s season-ending injury list.
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“We are heartbroken for Tierna,” said Yael Averbuch West, the team’s general manager and head of soccer operations, in a statement. “Our club will do everything we can to support her through this recovery and rehabilitation process. We know she will come back stronger than ever.”
Since joining Gotham in 2024, Davidson, who was recently named team captain, has earned her place as one of the anchors in the club’s backline.
The heartbreaking, non-contact injury happened in Houston on Friday, when Gotham was vying for its first win of the season. Davidson exited the match in the 44th minute.
Davidson was working to close down her former teammate, Yazmeen Ryan, when she planted her left leg awkwardly while running toward the end line. She quickly went down, while grabbing her knee, and slammed the pitch with her hand three times in what looked like frustration.
Tierna Davidson will be placed on the season-ending injury list after suffering an ACL injury.
We are with you, Tierna, and wish you a safe and speedy recovery 🖤
— Gotham FC (@GothamFC) April 2, 2025
“Oh, no. Oh, no,” analyst and former player Jordan Angeli, who has suffered ACL tears in the past, said on the game-day broadcast, as trainers rushed to Davidson’s side. “I don’t like the reaction.”
As trainers evaluated the defender, Gotham goalkeeper Ann Katrin Berger consoled her. Davidson would soon exit the pitch in tears, walking to the sideline with limited support from a trainer. Once on the sideline, Gotham’s assistant goalkeeper coach, Michelle Betos, who was a player on the team last year, gave her a long hug before Davidson exited the field and headed to the locker room.
After the game, Davidson was seen back on the pitch with a brace that appeared to stabilize her left knee. Head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said Davidson’s decision to be by her teammates following her injury demonstrated her strength and leadership.
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“Tierna is a warrior. She’s our captain,” Amoros said after the game. “It was devastating seeing her coming off the pitch how she did. But then seeing her on the pitch at the end of the game, it was also a message from her to the team of how strong she is.”
Gotham said on Friday that Davidson would be evaluated upon return to New Jersey later that weekend. Before she was evaluated, Amoros was hopeful for Davidson’s quick return. However, it’s now known that likely won’t come until next season.
“I know whatever it is, we’re going to be with her. We’re going to support her,” Amaoros said. “She’s in safe hands. We have a fantastic medical team, and I hope it’s the minimum it can be, because she’s been outstanding for us and outstanding for her country.”
Apart from her contributions on the pitch, Davidson has evolved into a quiet leader on both Gotham and the USWNT. She was recently named Gotham’s captain, and also elected as president of the USWNT Players Association.
Since joining Gotham in 2024 on a three-year deal, Davidson has earned her place as Amoros’ go-to center back alongside Emily Sonnett. Gotham’s backline has served as the team’s secret weapon in past seasons, successfully shutting down some of the strongest offenses in the league. Losing Davidson, an anchor in the team’s defense, leaves large shoes to fill in the center back role.
After an offseason that is forcing Gotham to reimagine its attack, the team’s backline offered the 2023 NWSL Champions stability in a season filled with change.
The backline remained mostly unchanged from last year, with the exception of Jenna Nighswonger, who left the NWSL side for Arsenal this offseason. The team also signed former UCLA’s Lilly Reale on a multiyear contract through 2027, with the rookie already showing promise just three weeks into the season.
Davidson has an extensive career on the international stage, winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 with the U.S. as the youngest member on the roster. The defender, who has 64 caps with the team, also won gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Following Gotham’s game last week, was quickly ruled out for the USWNT’s upcoming camp. The national team will face Brazil in back-to-back friendlies in California on Saturday and Tuesday, in a gold medal rematch from the Paris Games. Angel City’s Gisele Thompson was called in to replace Davidson on Emma Hayes’ 24-player roster.
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This season-ending injury is an unfortunate setback for Davidson, who was making her case to join Naomi Girma as a consistent starter on the national team in the center back role. With 2025 only the start of the World Cup and Olympic cycle, though, Davidson would have some runway to work her way back into contention upon her return.
This is Davidson’s second season-ending knee injury since entering the NWSL. In Paris, she was also sidelined from the Olympic group stage finale against Australia due to a knee contusion suffered during their match against Germany.
Davidson was the first overall pick in the 2019 NWSL College Draft, signed by the Chicago Stars and playing there for five seasons. In March 2022, she suffered an ACL injury during training that forced her to miss the 2022 NWSL season.
(Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
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