Mallory Swanson is suffering from a knee injury in the win over Ireland

In the expected match between the United States and Ireland on Saturday, the former won 2-0. However, the game was overshadowed by a serious injury to Mallory Swanson, one of the star players of the US women’s soccer team, just months before the expected Women’s World Cup.

During the game, Swanson had to be carried off the field in visible distress at the end of the first half in Austin. This was due to a heavy challenge from Ireland’s Aoife Mannion which caused Swanson to dislocate her left knee.

The incident stopped play for several minutes, and U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski rushed to comfort Swanson as he received treatment before being ejected.

Swanson’s injury raises concerns about her fitness for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts in July.

The 25-year-old forward is a vital member of the US national team, having scored seven goals in just five games this year. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, and Andonovski is anxiously awaiting news on the extent of the injury.

Despite injuries, the USA extended its winning streak to seven games, with Emily Fox scoring her first international goal and Lindsey Horan converting a penalty kick.

The U.S. begins its World Cup campaign against Vietnam in Auckland on July 21.

Andonovski insisted Swanson was fit to continue playing after an earlier collision with Ireland goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan, but a knee injury casts doubt on his participation in the tournament.

“If there was even a small chance that he shouldn’t have come back on the field, we’re going to keep him out, but he felt good,” Andonovski said.

“Everything was fine, so it wasn’t a head or brain injury or anything.”