Forward Catarina Macario will miss the Olympics due to “knee irritation” developed during training this week, as announced by United States women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes.
Stepping in for Macario is forward Lynn Williams, a veteran of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the 2023 World Cup. Williams will join the USWNT’s 2024 Olympic roster, while defender Emily Sams will take Williams’ place as one of four alternates.
Sams had been training with the USWNT this week, but all roster changes are pending approval from the International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and FIFA, since the final roster deadline has already passed.
“She’s devastated,” Hayes said of Macario. “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.”
Macario will return to London for treatment with her club, Chelsea, Hayes’ former club. Hayes described the situation as “complex,” noting that Macario had some irritation leading up to this week’s training.
