Ali Krieger Out for 6-8 Months With Torn ACL And MCL

Bad news comes for the USWNT as star defender Ali Krieger will be sidelined for 6-8 months with tears in both her ACL and MCL. The injury occurred during the the first half the teams landslide victory against the Dominican Republic. After taking a shot on goal, Krieger was kicked hard in the knee when a DR player was trying to make a tackle. She immediately went to the ground and would have to be strechered off the field.

One has to wonder if this injury ever needed to happen. Despite the US already being up 7-0 at the time of the injury, head coach Pia Sundhage didn't bother to start subbing out some of her key players after it was clear her squad had won the game. Now Sundhage is without one of her best defenders, and while the US shouldn't run into any trouble qualifying for the 2012 summer Olympics, Ali Krieger being healthy by the time the games come around is highly in doubt.

The USWNT are set to take on Guatemala this evening at 7:30 p.m. in their second game of group play in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Pia Sundhage hasn't named her starting XI for tonight's game yet, but it is highly likely veteran defender Heather Mitts will take Kriegers place in the lineup.