Audi Field roared on Saturday, May 18, during an action-packed contest between the Washington Spirit and the Utah Royals. For over a hundred minutes, thousands of fans watched the two teams trade goals in our nation’s capital, as the match ended in a 3-3 draw.
Watching from the sideline was VIS Mentor Imani Dorsey, one of the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) top defenders. Her absence from the Royals’ back line has been noticeable as they adjust without her veteran presence. We spoke with Dorsey about how she’s been impacted by her injury and what she’s done to overcome it.
The Setback
On March 22, 2024, Dorsey suffered a season-ending injury late in the first half of the Royal’s game against the North Carolina Courage. It was only Dorsey’s second game of the season. It was also only Dorsey’s second game with her new team, as she had just made the move from her former club, Gotham FC, in November 2023.
At the time of her injury, Dorsey was already a household name. She was 2023 NWSL Champion with Gotham FC, the 2018 NWSL Rookie of the Year, has been named to multiple US Women’s National Team training camp rosters, and made her first international appearance in November of 2021.
Injuries are an inevitable part of sports, but they can be particularly jarring when your career is following an upward trajectory. This injury was especially challenging for Dorsey because she had never faced anything like it before.
“I just assumed that once I could walk, I’d be walking normally—and I was like, ‘No, that’s totally not the case,’” Dorsey said. “Just doing simple movements was really challenging, and I wasn’t expecting it to be like that.” This disconnect between expectation and reality became one of her biggest mental hurdles.
“It was definitely a new challenge with learning to be patient with myself and my body, but being able to really take this time to focus on what I need personally was really helpful too.”
The Way Back
Dorsey said that the key throughout her rehab process was surrounding herself with her teammates because it motivated her to see how the team was developing. “Knowing that I’m working back towards that [progress was] really helpful,” she said.
Dorsey also explained the importance of finding a good support system. During her injury and recovery, Dorsey relied heavily on her family, fiancé, teammates, sports psychologist, and therapist.
She explained that while she had the choice to do her rehab in the Salt Lake City area or go elsewhere, she knew that she needed to stay in Utah. “For me personally, it was more fulfilling and motivating to stay around the team and have that support system,” Dorsey said. Being around this group allowed her to keep each day in perspective and measure the progress that she was making every day.
The Comeback
So far in the 2025 season, Dorsey has appeared in five matches for the Royals on limited minutes as she continues to build back to full strength. Through her recovery, Dorsey said she discovered just how strong both her body and mind truly are.
“It was definitely a new challenge with learning to be patient with myself and my body,” Dorsey said, “but being able to really take this time to focus on what I need personally was really helpful too.”
Dorsey knows firsthand just how difficult it can be to return from a season-ending injury, but she wants us to remember that patience is key. “Celebrate the little wins each and every day and find something that is driving you,” she said.
This season, she wants to do everything she can to work her way into the starting lineup and help the Royals win, but she is also taking a new perspective on her career. Coming off of her injury, Dorsey is prioritizing staying present and grateful.
Imani Dorsey’s comeback teaches us that having people in your corner and staying resilient are essential when facing adversity. As women athletes, it’s important to practice patience, self-compassion, and mental focus in challenging times such as injuries. It’s about more than returning to the pitch—it’s about returning stronger, both physically and mentally.
