USA midfielder Sally Menti tears ACL ahead of FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup

CHICAGO – U.S. Under-20 Women’s Youth National Team midfielder Sally Menti (pictured above) has been ruled out of the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after suffering an ACL tear in her right knee during training in Costa Rica prior to the tournament.

She will be replaced by midfielder Annie Karich, a rising freshman at Santa Clara, the college Menti also attends. The 5-foot-9 Karich (pronounced Care-ick) hails from Surfside, California and has one cap at the U-20 level, although she also has experience with the U.S. U-15 and U-17 Women’s Youth National Teams.

“We’re absolutely gutted for Sally,” said U.S. U-20 WYNT head coach Tracey Kevins. “She’s a fantastic person and player, she has a great support system from her family, the National Team and at Santa Clara, so we know she’ll come back strong. Our players are a very tight-knit group and I know they will keep her in their hearts during this tournament, but at the same time, we’re looking forward to welcoming Annie back into our team.”

2022 FIFA U.S. U-20 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP ROSTER BY POSITION (COLLEGE OR CLUB; HOMETOWN; U-20 CAPS/GOALS) 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Mia Justus (Florida State; Lakewood, Ohio; 6), Neeku Purcell (UCLA; Seattle, Wash.; 6), Teagan Wy (California; Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.; 2)

DEFENDERS (6): Lauren Flynn (Florida State; Arlington, Va.; 8/0), Samar Guidry (Virginia; McKinney, Texas; 10/0) Emily Mason (Rutgers; Flemington, N.J.; 15/3), Ayo Oke (California; Lawrenceville, Ga.; 9/0), Lilly Reale (UCLA; Hingham, Mass.; 7/1), Laney Rouse (Virginia; Cary, N.C.; 7/0)                               

MIDFIELDERS (5): Korbin Albert (Notre Dame; Grayslake, Ill.; 4/1), Talia DellaPeruta (UNC; Cumming, Ga.; 19/5), Annie Karich (Santa Clara; Surfside, Calif.; 1/0), Carina Lageyre (Duke; Cooper City, Fla.; 4/0), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; Wilsonville, Ore.; 7/2)

FORWARDS (7): Trinity Byars (Texas; Richardson, Texas; 9/3); Michelle Cooper (Duke; Clarkston, Mich.; 7/8); Simone Jackson (USC; Redondo Beach, Calif.; 9/7), Andrea Kitahata (Stanford; Hillsborough, Calif.; 6/7), Ally Sentnor (UNC; Hanson, Mass.; 2/0), Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave FC; Frisco, Texas; 4/3), Alyssa Thompson (Total Futbol Academy; Studio City, Calif.; 5/3)