In the 33rd minute of last night’s U.S.-Brazil women’s soccer match, Abby Wambach collided with Andreia Rosa while contesting for the ball near the Brazil penalty arc. Though the camera panned away from the collision to follow the ball, I thought to myself, “This is a bad one.”

Early this morning, the worst was confirmed: a double-leg fracture, which will be surgically repaired this morning with a titanium rod.

It’s the fourth roster change that Pia Sundhage has had to make in the months leading to Beijing 2008. First, U.S. captain and legend Kristine Lilly got pregnant. Then, Leslie Osborne and central defender Cat Whitehill tore their ACLs. And now, this.

It’s not the first time this has happened to the U.S. team before a major competition. I was witness to Michelle Akers’ last competitive match, a scrimmage against Russia in College Park, Md., during which she hurt her shoulder. She left the team before Sydney 2000. Before the 2003 World Cup, Danielle Slaton, Siri Mullinix, and Shannon MacMillian had knee problems which were only compounded when Brandi Chastain broke her foot in the opener against Sweden. And Heather Mitts tore an ACL and Wambach broke her toe in the runup to the 2007 World Cup.

Here’s what gets me. Brazil, last night, didn’t play Daniela, Christiana, and Marta — their three best attackers. I am amazed that U.S. Soccer didn’t have the sense to do the same.