Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams (6) controls the ball against Utah Royals on June 21, 2024 in Orlando. (Photo Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports)
It was announced Friday that Catarina Macario would withdraw from the U.S. women’s national soccer team Olympic roster due to “consistent irritation in her right knee” preventing her from preparing physically.
It’s a big blow to hear that Macario – who has missed the better part of the past two years with an ACL tear – will miss yet another major tournament. USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes feels it too, telling media she is “absolutely gutted” for the midfielder.
But there is one positive: the team is opting to take a fully healthy roster to the Olympics.
Only Macario can say if she could’ve played through the irritation, but it wouldn’t have been the first time a player played through an injury in a major tournament. Instead, Hayes chose to play it safe, particularly in light of Macario’s injury history.
Even for this Olympics, it’s a…
