Emily van Egmond to return home for season-ending ankle surgery

Emily van Egmond will undergo ankle surgery and miss the rest of the National Women’s Soccer League season, Orlando Pride have confirmed.

Van Egmond, 26, is set to return to Australia for a procedure to remedy an injury on her left ankle sustained during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The combative midfielder had been playing through pain for several weeks, including in 90-minute matches against Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns last month.

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However, Pride coach Marc Skinner met with van Egmond last week prior to the side’s 1-0 defeat to Houston Dash and made the decision to end her season so she could have surgery.

“It was a tough one,” Skinner told Pro Soccer USA on Thursday. “She’s a tough character and she doesn’t want to show any signs of weakness. That tells you a lot about [her] character.”

Emily van Egmond
Van Egmond joined the Pride in 2018 and has played 25 NWSL matches since

“Emily has the ability to see the game before it’s happened.

“She finds space, she creates space. She’ll be a massive miss, but every time we’ve had someone who’s been a miss in our team, it’s a chance for somebody else.”

Newcastle Jets midfielder van Egmond joined the Florida-based club – where she plies her trade alongside national team compatriot Alanna Kennedy - in 2018.

She has played eight matches this season for Orlando, who are currently ninth on the NWSL ladder.

“Emily is a world-class athlete and she has the mental capacity to push herself beyond her physical limitations, but her long-term health is our biggest priority,” added Pride general manager Erik Ustruck.

“We wish her the best and look forward to her full recovery.”

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