NWSL and NWSLPA join Project ACL, aimed at reducing ACL injuries in women’s soccer
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NWSL Players Associations are joining Project ACL, the global research project aimed at reducing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in professional women’s football. The initiative launched two years ago in England, with an initial focus on players in the Women’s Super League (WSL). On Tuesday, those behind the project gathered at Nike’s New York headquarters to officially launch the collaboration with the NWSL and NWSLPA.
“There’s been an increase in professionalization, an increase in expectation on our players and demands on the players and injuries like ACL (injuries) have not decreased,” said Alex Culvin, FIFPro’s director of women’s football. “That’s why we believe Project ACL is so critically important. ” Research suggests ACL injuries are two to six times more likely to occur in women than men, and about two-thirds of those injuries occur when there is no physical contact.
Yet, there is little understanding on how to reduce these injuries in professional women’s soccer. Research, until now, has primarily focused on amateur players. Project ACL was launched by FIFPro, the Professional Footballers Association, Nike and Leeds Beckett University in 2024.
It focused on WSL players over a three-year period. The WSL edition, in its final year, was viewed as the project’s pilot. The hope, from the very beginning, was to expand this initiative globally, particularly with an eye to one day bring it to the NWSL.
“To have the two best leagues in global women’s football contributing to Project ACL is something that we feel incredibly proud of,” Culvin said, “and we are determined to make significant impact for the players through this project. ” So far this season, six NWSL players have been placed on the season-ending-injury list in 2026 after tearing their ACLs. Angel City’s Hina Sugita, Denver Summit’s Jasmine Aikey, Utah Royal’s 16-year-old KK Ream and Bay FC’s Alyssa Malonson were ruled out in March.
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