VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- U.S. soccer national team defender Ali Krieger is likely to miss the London Olympics after injuring her right knee during a qualifying match.

An MRI on Saturday revealed torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. The team said she will require six to eight months of rehabilitation.

Krieger, 27, was injured in the first half of the Americans' 14-0 win over the Dominican Republic on Friday. She was struck flush in her plant leg by Dominican midfielder Leonela Mojica while attempting a shot in the 40th minute. The seriousness of the injury was evident immediately. Krieger's teammates put their hands to their mouths and waved for the trainers.

"It's a huge disappointment," midfielder Heather O'Reilly said after the game. "Obviously she's been a massive part of this team. I've really loved playing with her on the right side."

Neither Krieger nor U.S. coach Pia Sundhage was made available to reporters Saturday.

"I feel so unfortunate and I wouldn't wish this on anyone, especially to have it happen in a match where we were in control,'' Krieger said in a press release. "Soccer is a funny game and this is part of being an athlete. It's unfortunate that the timing is really bad, but this team is about way more than one player and I know with all the support from my teammates, my family and friends and from U.S. Soccer, I will come back stronger than ever.''

The U.S. cannot add a replacement for Krieger on the roster for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. Heather Mitts replaced her on the field after the injury Friday and is a likely substitute for her in the lineup as the tournament continues. A two-time gold medalist, Mitts is an indication of just how deep the U.S. team is. As Sundhage said before the tournament: "As coaches, we look at the bench and say, 'Wow, we have some good players.'"

After the game, the team said the injury was serious but expressed hope the MRI would show it wasn't as bad as feared. Unfortunately, it did.

"You can't control (injuries) so you look at the situation. She's been wonderful all the way up until now,'' Sundhage said in the release. "Ali has played very well, but I think (the team is) prepared for whoever is coming in for her. I'm really sorry for Ali, but she's young and there are so many games in front of her. I hope she comes back (strong) and I know she will.''

Krieger has 27 caps with the U.S. team and played every minute of last year's World Cup. She scored the dramatic game-deciding penalty kick when the U.S. beat Brazil in the quarterfinals.

The U.S. plays Guatemala on Sunday in its next game of the Olympic qualifying tournament round-robin and Mexico on Tuesday. The two top teams in the qualifier advance to the semifinals against the top two from the other group next Friday.

Krieger was quoted in the release saying she'll be rooting for her teammates.

"I'll be with the team in spirit the whole way, even if I have to be a vocal leader, just sitting and watching," she said.

Information from ESPN.com's Jim Caple and The Associated Press was used in this report.