The San Francisco 49ers and Gotham FC are both dealing with major injury losses. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and defender Emily Sonnett have each been ruled out for the rest of their seasons after needing knee surgery.
Pearsall, a star wide receiver for the 49ers, will miss the upcoming season. John Lynch, the team's general manager, announced on Saturday that Pearsall will undergo surgery on his knee. The news is a crushing blow for San Francisco, which relies on Pearsall as a key part of its passing attack.
Sonnett, a defender for Gotham FC in the National Women's Soccer League and the U.S. women's national team, is also out for the season after knee surgery. She was stretchered off during last Friday's draw against the Portland Thorns. Sonnett is a regular starter for both club and country, and her absence leaves a significant gap in Gotham's backline.
Both players now face an extended period on the sidelines. The reports confirmed that neither will return this season, though no further details about their recovery timelines were provided.