Rapinoe undergoes knee surgery for fourth time

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Aug 11, 2017

A year and a half after a devastating knee injury, Megan Rapinoewas back at full strength, tearing it up with the Seattle Reign in the NWSL (12 goals in 15 games) and with the U.S. national team, but she has been felled again by a knee injury, requiring the fourth surgery in her career.

Injury. Rapinoe underwent arthroscopic surgery on her left knee this week at the University of Washington Medical Center.

“Megan first reported knee soreness after the U.S. women’s national team match against Japan on Aug. 3,” said Reign FC director of high performance Nick Leman. “After investigation and consultation, it was determined that arthroscopic surgery was the best course of action.”

NWSL Leading Scorers:
G PLAYER (TEAM)
12 Megan Rapinoe (Seattle)
11 Samantha Kerr (Sky Blue FC)
11 Marta (Orlando)
9 Christen Press (Chicago)

Layoff. Rapinoe, the NWSL Player of the Month for July, is expected to need five weeks for recovery. The Reign, which went into the weekend in fourth place in the NWSL one point ahead of Orlando and Sky Blue FC with a game in hand, has eight games left in the regular season that ends on Sept. 30.

Previous knee injuries:
2006: Was among the nation’s leading scorers (10 goals in 11 matches) before suffering a season-ending knee injury with Portland against Washington State.
2007: Appeared in just two matches off the bench early in the year before suffering another season-ending knee injury. Granted a medical hardship waiver.
2015: Injured knee while training with USWNT in Honolulu two days before Victory Tour match that was canceled.