The US women’s soccer team will head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics without Catarina Macario with what head coach Emma Hayes deemed a “knee irritation” that emerged during training this week.
The forward will be replaced by Gotham FC’s Lynn Williams, who previously was a part of the team for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the 2023 World Cup.
“Gutted to have to withdraw from the Olympic roster and not be able to represent Team USA. I will be supporting the team every step of the way and the girls are ready,” Macario wrote in a post on X.
Hayes explained that Macario underwent some irritation during training and that it was a “complex” injury situation.
“She’s devastated,” Hayes said told reporters of Macario before Saturday’s send-off match against Mexico. “It’s not a long-term situation; [she’s] just not going to recover in time. I’m absolutely gutted for Cat. She’s someone who has worked hard within the last 12 months. She’s really put in a shift to get there, but it’s not to be.”
Defender Emily Sams will replace Williams as one of the four alternates who are training with the team.
The roster moves are still awaiting approval from the ICO, USOPC, and FIFA because the deadline for each team to finalize their rosters has passed.
“I think two things can be possible at one time. You can be devastated for a teammate and also excited for yourself at the same time,” Williams said on Friday. “But right now, I’m not necessarily thinking, ‘Oh, I’m excited for myself.’ I’m thinking, ‘How can I help the team? What does the team need from me?’ I think that was my role as an alternate to begin with: It’s staying ready and being ready when called upon. Obviously, I’m devastated for Cat.
“It’s such a unique experience being in this group. It’s the people that you’re competing with to be on a team but also the people that understand the experience that most, the hardship the most. Obviously, Cat is going to need a second to digest this, but [I’m’] sending her all the love and hugs.”
Macario has previously torn an ACL in 2022 with her former club, Lyon, and sat out for a year and a half, missing the World cup last summer.
She went back on the field with Chelsea earlier this year and returned to the women’s national team in April where she competed in the SheBelieves Cup.
It was her first appearance for the US in two years.
The Olympics group stage will begin July 25 followed by a knockout round. The women’s game days will alternate with the men in cities across France.
