BERLIN (AP) — As an Olympic gold medalist and Champions League winner, Almuth Schult was one of the top goalkeepers in women's soccer. She believes her career ended early because clubs were reluctant to sign a player with children.
The 34-year-old former Germany goalkeeper announced her retirement in March, three months after her contract ended with the Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League in the U.S.
“I feel like in Europe it is still not yet normal for a female soccer player to have children. Whether the clubs admit it or not, that's my subjective impression,” Schult told Germany’s Kicker magazine in an interview published Tuesday. “Many clubs worry that there could be adversity and difficulties with mothers even though that doesn't have to be the case.”
Schult said she felt she could have played another “one, two years at the highest level” and that she believes being a mother was “the main reason” talks didn’t work out. Schult said top clubs only offered her the role of a third-choice backup.
Schult gave birth to twins in 2020 and a third child in 2023. “I was already out of contract after my second pregnancy," said Schult, who played 66 times for the German national team. “No club believed I could still help, even though I had already proven it after my first pregnancy.”
Schult won the Champions League with Wolfsburg in 2014 and the Olympic gold medal with Germany at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and has also built a career as an expert commentator on German TV.
She suggested that European clubs could have something to learn from those in the U.S. in helping players to continue their careers after having children.
“My career would presumably have taken a different course if I'd had the same support as I recently received in the U.S.,” she said.
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FILE - Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's Olympic football tournament at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, file)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout is headed back to the 10-day injured list because of a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee.
Angels manager Ron Washington made the announcement Thursday night following a 10-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The team said there is no structural damage to Trout's knee.
“He has a bone bruise so we’re going to put him on the IL,” Washington told MLB.com. “It’s not significant. But he needs rest.”
The oft-injured Trout missed his first game of the season Thursday night after being removed from Wednesday’s loss in Seattle with left knee soreness. The three-time AL MVP got hurt on a sprint to first base when his left foot hit the bag as he tried to beat out a third-inning groundout.
Trout is hitting .179 this year with nine home runs and 18 RBIs.
He had two operations to repair separate meniscus tears in the knee last season, limiting him to 29 games. The 11-time All-Star outfielder did not play in the majors after April 29.
Due to various injuries, the 33-year-old Trout has played in more than 82 games only once in the past four seasons.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout catches a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Ryan Jeffers in the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 27, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout hits a single against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout runs to first on a ground out against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout grounds out against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout talks with batting coach Johnny Washington in the dugout before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
