Washington Spirit captain Andi Sullivan has been ruled out of the rest of the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup after tearing her medial meniscus in her left knee.

She sustained the injury during her side’s 1-0 victory over Houston Dash on Sunday. She was taken to hospital after the match and an MRI scan confirmed the bad news.

Sullivan will now return to Washington DC to undergo surgery on Thursday and she is expected to miss three to six months of action as she recovers.

She said: “I’m obviously disappointed to not be out there playing, but I’m excited to watch the rest of the tournament and I’m hoping to see my team win it all in the end. 

"I’m hopeful that I can continue to build off of the performances I had in the Challenge Cup after I complete rehab in a few months, and I’m confident that I will come back from this injury stronger.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has reached out to me, asked me how I’m doing and sent good vibes my way. It means a lot, and I will carry those with me throughout my recovery."

And Spirit head coach Richie Burke added: "The team is rallying around our captain and incredible leader, and we are now highly motivated to play extra hard in her honour. 

"It’s amazing how many well-wishes I’ve received from everyone in football about Andi, and it’s a testimony to her popularity as well as the amount of respect she has from people at the highest levels of the game.” 

Spirit’s next game will be their quarter-final of the tournament and their opponents were confirmed last night as Sky Blue FC after they lost 2-0 to North Carolina Courage.