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Julie Ertz is off the Chicago Red Stars’ injury list ahead of Week 5 National Women’s Soccer League matches.
Ertz missed the first month of the season with a right knee sprain, suffered March 1 while playing for the United States women’s national team in the first game of the SheBelieves Cup against Germany. The No. 2 Red Stars (2-1-2, 8 points) play in Maryland against the No. 5 Washington Spirit (1-2-1, 4 points) at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Seattle Reign forward Megan Rapinoe again is out as she continue to recover from a left hamstring strain, according the NWSL injury report released Friday. That means she will not be available when her team travels to face the Orlando Pride at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday. Rapinoe also missed last week’s match against the North Carolina Courage, which resulted in a 1-0 loss for the No. 4 Reign (2-1-0, 6 points).
New injuries include defender Abby Dahlkemper, added to the North Carolina Courage’s “questionable” list with a left ankle sprain. The Thorns have five players injured, including goalkeeper Adrianna Franch (right meniscus tear) and winger Hayley Raso (left knee sprain). The Red Stars get Ertz back but will be without Stephanie McCaffrey due to illness. And some teams, such as the Pride and Houston Dash, remain fully healthy this week.
All NWSL matches will be held Saturday this week, beginning with a 3:30 p.m. ET meeting between the No. 8 Houston Dash (0-2-2, 2 points) and visiting No. 1 North Carolina (4-0-1, 13 points). After the 7 and 7:30 matches listed above, the No. 7 Utah Royals (0-1-3, 3 points) host the No. 3 Portland Thorns (2-1-1, 7 points) at 9 to cap the day.
Here is the full NWSL Injury Report.