Canadian Jordyn Huitema’s availability for next summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup is suddenly in doubt.
The Chicago Stars forward is out for the rest of the NWSL season with a torn ACL on her left knee, the team announced Tuesday.
Huitema, who sustained the injury Saturday against Angel City, will undergo surgery. She finishes her first season in Chicago with four goals in 12 starts.
The Chilliwack, B.C., native, 25, has earned 98 career caps for the national team, registering 24 goals and seven assists while helping Canada win gold at the 2021 Olympics.
Now, it’s unclear whether she’ll be ready to suit up for the national team for the World Cup, which takes place in Brazil beginning June 24 next year.
“I’ve always believed that so much of life is out of our control, but how we choose to respond, is always ours. Finding out I tore my ACL, has been heartbreaking. Soccer has given me so much, and having it taken away, even temporarily, hurts more than I can put into words,” Huitema wrote in an Instagram post.
Canada has never advanced past the quarterfinals at the World Cup.