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U.S. women's soccer player Alex Morgan out three-four weeks after right knee surgery

The forward, who plays for the NWSL's Portland Thorns, could return to play with U.S. Soccer on Aug. 16 for the start of a 10-match victory tour.

The Associated Press

July 18, 2015 at 1:46AM

U.S. soccer player Alex Morgan arrived at the 2015 ESPY Awards on July 15, days before having knee surgery. (Mike Nelson — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

PORTLAND, Ore. – U.S. women's national team forward Alex Morgan had surgery on her right knee and is expected to be out for three to four weeks.

Morgan, who plays for the NWSL's Portland Thorns, underwent the procedure to remove a plica, or a small fold in the lining of the knee joint that was causing irritation.

Morgan was on the U.S. team that won the World Cup earlier this month in Canada. The Americans beat Japan 5-2 in the final.

Morgan did not play in matches leading up to the monthlong World Cup because of a bone bruise in her left knee. She came in as a substitute in the first two games of the tournament as she returned to form.

U.S. Soccer said Morgan could return for the first of a 10-match victory tour on Aug. 16 against Costa Rica in Pittsburgh.