The worst case scenario seemed to unfold early in the Orlando Pride’s road match against Chicago Wednesday night.
Forward Alex Morgan leapt for a header in the sixth minute, clashing in the air with Chicago defenders Julie Ertz and Sarah Gorden. Morgan stayed down while holding her neck, covering her face as trainers examined her for several minutes.
With Marta serving her second match of a red card suspension, the Pride’s attack was already thinned. Morgan’s return to the starting lineup was meant to offer a jolt for the offense. Instead, the Pride faced the image of a stretcher being wheeled out for the team’s star striker.