U.S. women’s national team forward Catarina Macario has announced that she will not recover in time from an ACL injury to play in this summer’s Women’s World Cup.
Macario, 23, has not played since suffering the injury in French club Lyon‘s final game of last season almost a year ago.
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Although she has returned to training, the end of Lyon’s season on Saturday will leave her unable to get competitive minutes before USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski announces his roster for the World Cup by July 10. The tournament in Australia and New Zealand is set to begin on July 20, with the U.S. playing its opener against Vietnam a day later.
“While I’m excited and super optimistic about my future as a footballer, I’m sad to share that I won’t be physically ready for selection to our U.S. World Cup team,” Macario posted on social media.
“The desire to return to play for my country has driven my training and fueled my everyday life. However, what’s most important right now is my mental health and getting fit and ready for my next club season.
“I am eternally grateful to Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital for always supporting me and guiding me in my rehab. And to…
