‘I felt like myself’: McCall Zerboni makes 2024 NWSL debut after ACL tear

Photo provided by NJ/NY Gotham FC

Two hundred ninety-four days. That’s how long McCall Zerboni was sidelined after tearing her ACL in August 2023. However, out on the pitch last Saturday, it looked like she hadn’t missed a beat since her last National Women’s Soccer League match.

At home against Angel City FC, the midfielder once again donned the captain’s armband and took to the field in the second half, helping NJ/NY Gotham FC close out a 2-1 win. The result extended a seven-game unbeaten streak for the defending champions.

“I was just overwhelmed with joy and grace that I was able to do this again,” Zerboni told The Equalizer just moments after the match. “I’m getting choked up as I talk about it right now because when something like that is taken away from you for a while, the ability to get it back just means the world.”