Catarina Macario has torn her ACL, the USWNT star announced Sunday via social media.
In a devastating blow to the U.S. women’s national team, the 22-year-old will miss this summer’s 2023 World Cup qualifying. Macario is a mainstay on the team’s frontline, but the injury will keep her sidelined “for a few months,” she wrote.
The American striker sustained the injury in Lyon’s final match of the season Wednesday, a 4-0 victory for the Division 1 Féminine champions. Macario exited the game in the 13th minute.
“Unfortunately, injuries are a natural part of football,” Macario wrote. “Tearing an ACL is never easy, and although I am devastated to be away from the field and my teammates for a few months, I could not be more proud of my first year as a professional footballer and to have helped the team reconquer two big titles this season.”
— Catarina Macario (@catarinamacario) June 5, 2022
Macario has had a banner year for club and country, leading Lyon to a Champions League title while notching eight goals and two assists in the French club’s campaign. In Division 1 Féminine competition, the American logged a staggering 14 goals and five assists in 20 appearances.
“As challenging as the recovery process may be, I believe that God is in control of everything, so I have no doubt that with the right support system, patience, and hard work, I will be back better and hungrier than before,” Macario wrote.