Catarina Macario Withdraws from Team USA Olympic Roster Due to Knee Injury

Catarina Macario, a forward for the U.S. women's national soccer team, has been pulled from the Team USA Olympic roster due to a knee injury. Head coach Emma Hayes announced that Lynn Williams will replace her. Macario expressed her disappointment on social media.

U.S. women's national soccer team forward Catarina Macario has been removed from the Team USA Olympic roster owing to a knee injury, head coach Emma Hayes confirmed on Friday.

"She has minor knee irritation, which means she won't recover in time for the games," Hayes explained. Lynn Williams will step in to replace Macario for the Paris games, while defender Emily Sams will become the alternate, Hayes added.

"I'm absolutely gutted for Cat, someone I've worked hard with over the last 12 months. She's really put a shift in to get there, but it's not to be." Macario, who missed the 2023 World Cup following an ACL tear the previous year, confirmed her withdrawal on social media platform X.

"Gutted to have to withdraw," stated the Brazilian-born Chelsea forward. "I will be supporting the team every step of the way, and the girls are ready." Team USA, which captured bronze in the Tokyo games four years ago, will play their first match on July 25 against Zambia.

(With inputs from agencies.)