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Emily Fox injury update USWNT soccer Paris Olympics semi-finals

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Emily Fox, a three-time All-ACC selection at UNC and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NWSL draft, had Team USA fans holding their breath in the final minutes of a dramatic 1-0 victory over Japan in the Paris Olympics women’s soccer quarterfinals on Saturday.

Fox, a key defender for the U.S., left the game late in extra time with a knee injury after contact with Japan’s Riko Ueki. Coaches tended to Fox before he limped off the field, leaving fans concerned about his availability for Tuesday’s semifinal against Germany (noon; U.S., Peacock).

Those concerns were allayed on Monday when U.S. women’s national soccer coach Emma Hayes tweeted, “Everyone is practicing today,” along with a series of images from the day’s workout, including one on Fox.

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The tweet also included photos of Rose Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw and Tierna Davidson.

Fox has dealt with ACL injuries twice in her career, both while playing at UNC. After playing for Racing Louisville and North Carolina Courage of the NWSL, she is currently a member of English professional soccer club Arsenal and was called up to the U.S. senior national team in 2018.

The United States is aiming for its fifth gold medal and first since 2012 after winning the pool with a perfect 3-0 record and beating Japan in overtime to advance to the Paris Olympic semifinals.

Team USA won gold in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012, was eliminated in the quarterfinals in 2016 and won bronze in 2021.