LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Canadian forward Janine Beckie, who
helped her squad capture Tokyo Olympic gold, will miss the 2023 Women's World
Cup and National Women's Soccer League season with a right knee injury.

The reigning NWSL champion Portland Thorns announced Friday that the 28-year-
old striker, with 36 goals for Canada in 101 caps, suffered a torn anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.

"Heartbroken is an understatement," Beckie wrote in a Twitter posting on
Friday.

The injury took place in the first half of a Wednesday match against the US
under-23 women's squad.

Beckie will have surgery in the coming weeks and will conduct her
rehabilitation in Portland under the direction of the Thorns team medical
staff.

"Having worked so hard during off-season for what was set to be one of the
biggest seasons of my career, defending the title for Portland Thorns and of
course playing in the World Cup for Canada, being out for an extended period
of time is a difficult pill to swallow," Beckie tweeted.

"I'll be supporting my teammates for both club and country this season and it
goes without saying I'll be back better and stronger than ever!"

The Canadians will compete in the Women's World Cup in Australia and New
Zealand. They are grouped with Ireland, Nigeria and co-host Australia and set
to open against Nigeria at Melbourne on July 21.

The Thorns are set to open the NWSL regular season at home against Orlando on
March 26.