San Diego Wave’s Dudinha sidelined with ACL and meniscus injury
The 20-year-old Brazilian international suffered the injuries during a friendly against the United States Women’s National Team in Brazil, with the duration of her recovery yet to be determined.
San Diego Wave forward Dudinha has been ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus injuries to her right knee, a significant blow to the club’s 2026 campaign. The 20-year-old confirmed the diagnosis via an Instagram post on Wednesday, following medical tests conducted after a friendly match against the United States Women’s National Team in Brazil.
The injury occurred around the 30th minute of the fixture when Dudinha and USWNT midfielder Emily Sonnett challenged for the ball simultaneously. Sonnett fell to the ground, creating a difficult landing scenario for the Wave forward, who extended her right leg wide and absorbed significant force upon impact. Dudinha was stretchered off the field immediately and has since described the period of recovery as one filled with "difficulties and challenges."
Dudinha has been a pivotal figure for the Wave this season, starting all 13 of the club’s matches in 2026. Her dynamic play on the left wing has been central to head coach Jonas Eidevall’s tactical approach, with the team frequently favouring the left side of the pitch to exploit her speed and technical ability. The forward has recorded five goals and four assists, establishing herself as a strong candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player award.
The timing of the injury coincides with the NWSL’s midseason break, leaving the club to navigate the immediate future without its primary attacking threat. While the specific duration of Dudinha’s absence remains unclear, the Wave must address the void in their lineup upon their return to competition.
Potential internal solutions include Melanie Barcenas covering the left flank, although the availability of marquee signing Catarina Macario remains uncertain due to her own injury timeline. Additionally, Adriana Leon, who missed the first 13 matches with a back injury, was observed playing in a recent friendly against the Philippines Women’s National Team and may be fit to return after the break.
The Wave are scheduled to resume their season on July 4 in San Diego, facing Gotham FC in their first match back. The fixture will see Dudinha sit out the encounter against Sonnett’s side, adding a layer of complexity to the tactical preparations for the club’s return to the pitch.
