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NWSL Joins Project ACL to Study Women’s Knee Injuries

4/23/2026

Summary

NWSL Joins ACL

NWSL and Players Association have joined Project ACL, a research program that began in England’s WSL.
Project ACL studies causes of ACL injuries and the environment where players train, compete and recover, finding injuries are twice as likely in women.
It reports that about two-thirds of women’s ACL injuries occur without contact, eight percent of studies focus on women and amateurs, partners are PFA, FIFPRO, Nike and Leeds Beckett University.

Summary

Duran ACL Injury

Gotham FC defender Kayla Duran suffered a season-ending ACL tear on April 4 against Kansas City Current, highlighting the need for injury-prevention research.
New Concacaf W Champions Cup and FIFA Women’s Champions Cup have intensified fixture congestion, prompting load-management calls.
Retired players Crystal Dunn and Jordan Angeli warned that expanding opportunities require proactive rest protocols and $130 million investments in women’s training complexes.

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NWSL Joins ACL

NWSL and Players Association have joined Project ACL, a research program that began in England’s WSL.
Project ACL studies causes of ACL injuries and the environment where players train, compete and recover, finding injuries are twice as likely in women.
It reports that about two-thirds of women’s ACL injuries occur without contact, eight percent of studies focus on women and amateurs, partners are PFA, FIFPRO, Nike and Leeds Beckett University.

1 / 2