Washington Spirit defender Anna Heilferty has been placed on the season-ending injury list after tearing her ACL late in Friday’s match against Orlando Pride. Heilferty, a Falls Church, VA, native, had just returned to play after a similar injury kept her out of the 2023 season.
After playing for Boston University, Heilferty was drafted by the Spirit in the second round of the 2021 NWSL Draft. She has played in 57 matches with Washington and became an essential part of the defense in 2022, when she started 18 matches and played in 21 of 22. Shortly before the start of the 2023 season, Washington announced that Heilferty had torn her ACL and would be unable to play the remainder of the year. It is not clear whether her recent injury is to the same knee.
Heilferty stayed involved with the team throughout her rehabilitation period, participating in the planning of team events related to sustainability and 2023’s Pride Night drag performance. She has also acted as an ambassador for Sustainable DC, an initiative of the DC Department of Energy and Environment, recently appearing in an Earth Day video with Mayor Muriel Bowser. She made her first appearance this season in Washington’s 2-1 victory over Bay FC.
The Spirit said Heilferty will stay with the team and work with Spirit Performance, Medical and Innovation staff as she recovers from this second injury. She will also no doubt continue to be involved in the community outreach that has made her a fan favorite.
Heilferty’s injury in just her second game back is absolutely devastating. We wish her the best of luck in her recovery and hope she gets all the support she needs during this difficult time.
Damn. That’s brutal. Best wishes on recovery
ACL tears are just too prevalent for female soccer players. I hope that Michele Kang’s investment in physical training explicitly for women can come up with something.
That is brutal for Heilferty.
During her last injury recovery period, Anna would take laps around Audi Field about an hour before kickoff hidden in civilian clothing. Saw this at least 3 times, and once I spotted a camera man on the other side of the concourse catching video of the faces who recognized her. I don’t know where any of that footage may have ended up, but it will show a player with a penchant for fun and a very positive attitude. I hope that attitude stays strong and helps get her through this next recovery period, which must be emotionally crushing. Hope you come back stronger than ever, Anna!
[…] Washington Spirit’s Anna Heilferty tears ACL (The DP): Season-ending injuries are a reminder that life is cruel and unfair… I wish Heilferty a speedy recovery. […]
[…] Spirit’s back line. Unfortunately, Heilferty’s professional career has been plagued by a pair of ACL injuries, which put her on the season-ending injury list the past two years. Despite this, Heilferty is a […]