Western United have confirmed co-captain Chloe Logarzo will miss an extended period of football due to a hip injury whilst midfielder Adriana Taranto is out for the remainder of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.
The devastating injury news comes as Western United prepare to face Newcastle Jets at their new home of football in Tarneit on Sunday afternoon.
Issuing an injury update, Western revealed Taranto sustained the season-ending injury during training this week and will now undergo surgery before beginning an extensive period of rehabilitation.
An ever-present in the green and black, Taranto has featured in all 39 games for Western United since the club joined the Liberty A-League in the 2022-23 season.
Furthermore, Taranto has proven to be a consistent performer in the attacking third for Kat Smith’s side this campaign, contributing five goals and four assists in 20 matches.
Equally as big a blow for Western is the news co-captain and Matildas midfielder Chloe Logarzo has been ruled out for an ‘extended period’ due to a hip injury.
The midfield dynamo has been in excellent form this season having scored a joint-high nine goals alongside striker Hannah Keane whilst also registering three assists for the side currently sat top of the Liberty A-League.
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While no exact time frame has been placed on Logarzo’s recovery the club says she will miss the remaining three matches of the regular season against Newcastle (H), Western Sydney (A) and Central Coast (A) while her availability for the finals, should Western get there, is subject to her recovery.
Having been overlooked for the Matildas squad which reached the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Logarzo was recalled by head coach Tony Gustavsson for the recent Olympic qualifiers against Uzbekistan.
Furthermore, Logarzo will now miss the Matilda’s friendly match with Mexico on April 10 whilst her participation in the Olympic warm-up fixtures against China on May 31 and June 3 is now in doubt.
Kat Smith’s side are currently a point clear of Melbourne City at the top of the Liberty A-League ladder and saw a six-game winning streak brought to an end by Sydney FC in Round 20.
