Catarina Macario, a forward for the United States women’s soccer team, will not be able to participate in this year’s Women’s World Cup as she is in the process of recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Despite her desire to play for both her club and her country, Macario’s priority is to focus on getting fit and ready for future matches. This news comes as a blow to the United States, as they have already lost another player, Mallory Swanson, to a torn patellar tendon.
Macario, who currently plays professionally for Lyon in France, tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in June 2021 during Lyon’s final game of the season. She spent time rehabilitating at an orthopedic and sports medicine facility in Qatar. Macario was born in Brazil but moved to the United States when she was 12 and became a citizen in 2020. While at Stanford University, she won the MAC Harman Trophy twice, which is awarded to the best soccer player in the United States. Macario decided to go pro and forego her senior season at Stanford.
Since 2021, Macario has scored 19 goals in 27 appearances for Lyon and eight goals in 17 games for the United States. The Women’s World Cup, which is co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, begins on July 22. Despite not being able to participate, Macario is committed to her recovery and long-term goals of qualifying for the USA national team. She is rooting for her teammates during the World Cup and looks forward to future opportunities to represent her country.