Portland Thorns and Matildas winger Hayley Raso will spend six to eight weeks on the sideline after suffering a lower back injury.
It was confirmed by the club this morning in a media release that Raso had suffered "a non-displaced fracture of the transverse processes of L2, L3 and L4".
It's likely that she will not return to the field before the end of the 2018 NWSL season.
Raso took to Twitter yesterday to thank everyone for their well wishes:
Thank you all for the love & well wishes over the last 24 hours. Means a lot ❤️
— Hayley Raso (@HayleyRaso) August 26, 2018
The injury occurred in the 59th minute after colliding with Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe while trying to chase down a long ball.
Raso was carried off the field on a stretcher and appeared to be in pain.
Earlier in the match, Raso helped secure Portland Thorn's 1-0 over Washington Spirit when she crossed the ball into the box for Tobin Heath to score.
Raso will conduct her rehabilitation with Thorns FC sports medicine staff at Providence Park and at the Providence Sports Care Center.
Earlier this year, the 23-year-old had missed the start of the season through a left knee injury sustained while playing for Brisbane Roar during the W-League season but during the Asian Cup in April she sustained a partial tear in the Lateral Collateral Ligament in her right knee that would sideline her for eight weeks.
She has been a vital member to the Thorns starting XI since her return to full fitness and it is a devastating blow to the Thorns as they head into the final game and playoffs.
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