USWNT forward Shaw misses Zambia match with leg injury

U.S. women’s national team forward Jaedyn Shaw will miss the team’s Olympic opener against Zambia with a leg injury, U.S. Soccer announced just 90 minutes before Thursday’s match.

Shaw was replaced in the matchday squad by roster alternate Croix Bethune, who earned her first two USWNT caps in this month’s friendlies against Mexico and Costa Rica.

No USWNT official had indicated prior to Thursday that Shaw was suffering from any injury. The San Diego Wave star played against Mexico and Costa Rica, coming off the bench in the second half in both matches.

Shaw did suffer a leg injury with the Wave back in May, but only missed one NWSL game before she was able to return later in the month.

According to ESPN , Shaw was injured in training the day before the match against Zambia, and U.S. officials don’t believe the problem is serious.

If Shaw isn’t seriously hurt, head coach Emma Hayes could take advantage of a new roster rule to bring the forward back at some point during the tournament.

This Olympics, roster alternates are able to replace injured players on a game-by-game basis. That means Hayes could bring Shaw back whenever she is fit, moving Bethune back to her alternate role.

Shaw made her USWNT debut in October and quickly established herself as one of the team’s top attacking players. This spring, Shaw became the first player to ever score a goal in each of her first five USWNT starts.

Overall, Shaw has seven goals in 16 caps for the U.S. so far.

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