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Posted: Saturday, June 11, 2011

From Boston, With Love 2

WPSWell, it's that time again. It''s been a very crazy four weeks for me. Everything, in fact, seems to have run together. The only thing that seems to have sunk in is ACL's and how they have been and continue to affect my life.

ACL...ACL...I am so tired of women/girls tearing them. For those of you who do not know, the ACL is the anterior cruciate ligament and is one of the four main knee ligaments. Female athletes are in fact 10 times more prone to this injury compared to male athletes. Still to this day, after all these years, the medical profession is still trying to find out exactly what causes this stat or what can help prevent the injury. This injury is beyond frustrating and has affected myself, my family, my teammates, my best friend and millions of future female athletes. Athletes in both soccer and basketball, are the top two sports where you can find this injury in girls. When I tore my ACL before the 2008 Olympics, I felt at that time I was in the best shape of my career. How ironic is that?

This past month, two of my friends and two being current teammates and one former have torn their ACL. What is even crazier is that they have all torn their ACL's before on the same knee.

Here is a little bit about their stories:

Jordan Angeli-(midfielder) Former Santa Clara Bronco and great friend. Played and coached with her at Santa Clara. She played on the 2006 U-20 Women's World Cup Team. She tore her ACL twice before at SCU. Had a great rookie year as a Boston Breaker. She just tore her ACL for 3rd time in our first game of the season vs Atlanta Beat. Had successful part one to her surgery last week.

Lindsay Tarpley Snow-(midfielder/forward) My best friend, my sister. Met and played together since we were 11 yrs old. Played at UNC, jersey retired and won 2 National Championships. USWNT Member since 2002, 2x Olympic Gold Medalist and bronze in WWC 2007. Just tore her ACL for the 2nd time in the USWNT game vs Japan on May 14th after being named to 2011 WWC roster days before. Having a successful surgery as we speak:)

Kelsea Davis- (Goalkeeper) Former Portland Pilot and also member of 2006 U-20 Women's World Cup Team. Played for Chicago Red Stars last season before tearing her ACL. Just re-tore her ACL 2 weeks ago in a Boston Breaker practice. Scheduled to have surgery on June 8th.

All 3 of these players and great friends have already torn their ACL. Unfortunately, after you tear your ACL once and go through the recovery process you know what lies in front of you. It will be a 6-12 month recovery process, depending on the person. Anyone who has torn an ACL, is part of the club. You know exactly how difficult it is and what it takes, both mentally and physically.

Leslie Osborne

It's very difficult to see teammates and great friends have their dreams and opportunities cut short. It's challenging to stay positive when it continues to happen more and more.

Here is to hoping that there will be a major break through in the near future to help prevent more of these injuries.

On a lighter note...Here is what I have been up to:

  • I have walked the runway again in a great fashion show in Boston-at the Liberty Hotel
  • Gone on both radio and TV news stations locally
  • Attended both Celtics and Bruins games, cheering loudly:)
  • Attended Big Brothers/BIg Sisters with Kristine Lilly-Shaq and other Boston pro athletes
  • Cheered for the Revolution at Gillette multiple times:)
  • Spoke at the City Council Plaza with the mayor-recognizing Kristine Lilly Day
  • Celebrated my B Day in Lake Winnipesaukee (boating, tennis, hiking, swimming, kayaking)

Congrats to all the Boston Breakers who will be representing the US in the World Cup this summer:)

I am off to cheer on the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals at the Garden. Should be really crazy!

Go Breakers
Leslie

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