Sunday marked an emotional day for American attacker Catarina Macario.
In her first appearance since the 2021-22 season, Macario scored on her Chelsea debut in a 4-0 WSL victory over Leicester City. Macario had been sidelined due to a torn ACL that she suffered following her move from French side Lyon to English giants Chelsea.
Macario came off the bench and played the final 18 minutes for Emma Hayes’ squad, capping off a dominant performance at Leicester. The Blues are now top of the WSL table on goal difference, edging Manchester City to first place for the current moment.
After a three-season collegiate career at Stanford University, Macario joined Lyon and made her debut in 2020. She scored 28 goals in 44 appearances for Lyon before making the switch to Chelsea.
However, Macario’s torn ACL forced her to miss the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Macario has eight goals in 17 career caps for the U.S. women’s national team.
“She hasn’t played for more than 600 days. She came to Chelsea and wasn’t in a fit state to play until now,” said Hayes. “We’ve had to do a lot of work with her off the pitch so for her to get this moment I’m so immensely proud of her and the team behind the team who have put the hours into her.
“She’s a super footballer and just what we need coming into the run-in,” Hayes added. “Of course she has to get a bit more match fit but she played her part.”
Chelsea will certainly welcome Macario’s production back into the fold as it travels to Manchester City in the FA WSL Cup semifinals this week.
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