There has been a change to the United States Women’s National Team roster ahead of the first warmup match for the Olympics. Yesterday, during a USWNT press conference, head coach Emma Hayes announced that midfielder Catarina Macario was forced to withdraw from the team due to injury and will not compete in the Olympics.
Macario’s withdrawal from the roster is due to “consistent irritation in her right knee.” It’s a devastating blow for the 24-year-old, who returned to the field in March from an ACL injury that kept her out of action for two years. She was set to compete in her second Olympics, having received a bronze medal with the team in the delayed 2020 Olympics.
It was a big shock to all that her knee irritation was precluding her from participating in the Olympics and forced her withdrawal. Naturally, she was “gutted” that she has to stay at home to rest her knee.
Lynn Williams, who was named to the alternates list for the Olympics, has been elevated to the main roster. Williams was also on the team that won a bronze medal at the delayed 2020 Olympics. She has 63 caps and 18 goals for the USWNT and adds to an already loaded forwards group.
Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams, who was a part of the training roster for the friendlies today against Mexico and on Tuesday against Costa Rica, will now head to France as an alternate. This camp was her first USWNT call-up. She will also be on the game roster for today’s match against Mexico.
The updated Olympic roster for the USWNT:
GOALKEEPERS (2): 18-Casey Murphy (North Carolina Courage), 1-Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
DEFENDERS (6): 12-Tierna Davidson (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 2-Emily Fox (Arsenal FC), 4-Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave), 6-Casey Krueger (Washington Spirit), 13-Jenna Nighswonger (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 14-Emily Sonnett (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
MIDFIELDERS (4): 3-Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), 17-Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), 10-Lindsey Horan (Olympique Lyon), 16-Rose Lavelle (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
FORWARDS (6): 7-Crystal Dunn (NJ/NY Gotham FC), 5-Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit), 15-Jaedyn Shaw (San Diego Wave), 11-Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns), 9-Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars), 8-Lynn Williams (NJ/NY Gotham FC)
ALTERNATES (4): 20-Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), 22-Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), 19-Hal Hershfelt (Washington Spirit), 21-Emily Sams (Orlando Pride)
