Portland Thorns ironwomen Nikki Marshall suffered an torn ACL in Sunday's match against the Seattle Reign and will require surgery, Jamie Goldberg of The Oregonian reported this morning, after suffering the injury in the 27th minute.
The typical recovery time for a torn ACL in between 4-6 months, meaning Marshall will likely be available by the start of next season.
Marshall, 26, has started all 46 matches in defense for the Thorns since their inception in 2013.
After a whirlwind off-season that saw her released shortly after winning the 2013 NWSL Championship, Marshall was picked up by the Washington Spirit, then traded to the Seattle Reign in the off-season, before being re-acquired by the Thorns, along with Rebecca Moros, for Dani Foxhoven and a draft pick. Correction: Marshall was re-acquired for the Thorns' 1st Round Pick in the 2014 College Draft.
Additionally, Goldberg reports that defender Stephanie Catley participated fully in training, as did midfielder Sinead Farrelly, who has been missing for several weeks with an "internal medical matter."
Marshall joins defenders Courtney Niemiec and Kat Tarr on injured reserve, thinning out an already thin defensive corps, with Emily Menges and Rachel Van Hollebeke the only healthy center backs available for the Thorns as they begin their postseason run.
The Thorns take on FC Kansas City at Durwood Stadium on Saturday at 10:00am PDT in the NWSL Semifinals. The match will be televised live on ESPN2.