Catarina Macario is set to sign with Chelsea subject to medical clearance.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is set to join the English club at the end of her contract with French club Lyon this summer, the Athletic reported Tuesday. She has not played for Lyon since last June, when she tore her ACL during a league match.
A staple of the U.S. women’s national team, Macario’s ACL recovery timeline has lagged, leading to speculation about her participation in this summer’s World Cup. Lyon has just three games left in its season – as does Chelsea – and Macario has yet to play in a game or even to return to training. She was set to return to training in early April but has not made an appearance.
As a result, an NWSL loan option had seemed – and still does seem – like a good idea for Macario if she wants to return to form in time for the 2023 World Cup. But with the news of her signing with Chelsea, her immediate future is thrown further into question.
Macario led Lyon with 23 goals during the 2021-22 season. She also became the first U.S. player to score in a Women’s Champions League final in Lyon’s 3-1 win over Barcelona last year.