By Karl Plume
(Reuters) – U.S. women’s national soccer team forward Catarina Macario was pulled from the Team USA Olympic roster due to a knee injury, head coach Emma Hayes told reporters on Friday.
“She has minor knee irritation, which means she won’t recover in time for the games,” she said.
Alternate forward Lynn Williams will replace Macario for the Paris games and defender Emily Sams will become alternate, Hayes said.
“I’m absolutely gutted for Cat, someone I’ve worked hard with in 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,” the Brazilian-born Chelsea forward said. “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, play their first match on July 25 against Zambia.
(Reporting by Karl Plume in Chicago; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
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