Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most devastating things that can happen to an athlete, and unfortunately, they are way too familiar in women’s soccer. One wrong step, an awkward landing, or a hard tackle can leave a player sidelined for months to a year. It’s not just about the physical recovery either, the mental battle of rehab, missing time on the field, and the fear of reinjury all make the road back even more challenging.
It is known that female athletes tear their ACLs at a much higher rate than men. According to UCLA Health, “Females are two-to-10 times more likely than males to tear their ACL.” But, the big question is why?
Different factors contribute to this statistic. One is the differences in anatomy, biomechanics, and even hormones. Many say there isn’t enough research on female athletes compared to their male counterparts. If more research was done on female athletes, we could learn that they may need different training, eating, and sleeping habits.
Another big reason for ACL injuries, and an ongoing topic, is workload. This isn’t just applicable to female players, but male soccer players too.
Top players competing for both club and country have minimal recovery time. With a packed schedule of league matches, tournaments, international duty, and year-round training, their bodies are constantly pushed to the limit with little opportunity for rest. For example, the best teams in the Women’s Super League (WSL), the top women’s soccer league in England, have played around 30 games in all competitions over the last 6 months, and have 2 more months left in the season. Some players for those teams also play for their country on international breaks, and those from European countries will compete in the UEFA Women’s European Championships this summer. These players could end up playing anywhere from 40-60 games in 10 months, and after the tournament, they will go right back into playing for their club. It may not sound like a lot, but it is a lot for their bodies to handle!
The rise in ACL injuries has impacted the professional game. A 2023 article from the Washington Post reported that “since 2021, at least 87 players from eight of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues have torn their ACLs.” This means that dozens of top athletes have been out for months, some missing out on career-defining moments like the 2023 Women’s World Cup. With more games, more pressure, and limited recovery time, the risk continues to grow.
To understand the impact of an ACL injury, I spoke with Ali Hall, captain of the U.S. Women’s Beach Soccer National Team, who has been faced with an ACL injury and is on the road to recovery. Like many athletes, she has had to deal with the physical and mental difficulties that come with recovering from an injury. Hall has turned her recovery journey into something bigger through a line of merchandise she created with BTB called “Comeback Szn”, made to inspire athletes going through similar struggles.
“Comeback Szn apparel was inspired by a knee injury but has since evolved into something much more,” Hall said. “It’s a symbol for any type of comeback in life—whether it’s mental, physical, or situational. This can be anyone’s Comeback SZN.”
When asked what inspired her to create the merch and what message she hopes it sends to athletes recovering from injuries, she said she “hopes players recovering from injury find strength in their Comeback SZN and realize your injury doesn’t have to be a setback. Your injury is about to propel you forward. YOU choose!”
For athletes who have never torn their ACL, or faced any other extensive injury, it is easy to assume that once you are healed, you go back to playing like normal. But, going through an injury is much more than the physical recovery. Returning to the field is fun, but worrying about reinjuring yourself with every move you make can be exhausting and detrimental to one’s game. This leaves players not feeling like themselves, and some will never get back to their old form.
The rise of ACL injuries in women’s soccer is a serious issue and doesn’t have a simple solution. Specific strength training, decreasing workload, and changes in equipment and playing surfaces have been discussed as ways to lower the risk of ACL injuries, but there is still no definite answer. The most important thing for athletes who face injury is that they have the tools to recover both physically and mentally. Hall’s “Comeback Season” is a journey in which she aims to inspire others who are dealing with injuries, illnesses or mental challenges, to come back even stronger. Every setback is an opportunity to grow and come back stronger!
- Blog by Ava Morales | BTB Intern & Coach