On the mend

Our depth has really been tested this season.  Just last week, we put our third player on Injured Reserve.  Like Suzie and Carlos, Anna is out until spring.  She has undergone surgery by Dr. John Klimkeiwicz of Georgetown, for all intents and purposes, the team orthopedist.  The doc repaired severely torn cartilage, which caused pain and lack of mobility for more than 2 years.

This was much-needed scheduled surgery, and wow, we owe Anna a debt of gratitude for intentionally planning it around the regular season.  She wanted to give us a boost into the playoffs and help the team.  What a teammate!  That's way beyond the call of duty.

And what a player too!  Let's get back to this torn cartilage thing.  One would think that tearing the cartilage from the bone would render a player useless on the field.  Not with this player.  She's been solid this season, scoring 5 goals and contributing one assist.  Those are pretty big numbers for an 8-game season - actually 7 games because one game was a forfeit win.  We have so much confidence in her as an outlet on the pitch.  She has a good work rate as a striker and makes the people around her better.  She's also the most successful female offensive player in club history, scoring more points than any other woman.  I would have to look it up, but I would estimate that she's contributed about 25 goals (not to mention saving about that many as keeper).  By way of comparison, Jozy Altidore has probably scored about 15 goals since moving to various clubs in Europe 3 years ago - and he has the opportunity to play up to 30 games a year versus our 16.

Anna, on behalf of your teammates, we can't wait for you to fully recuperate and come back!  Get well.