In a significant blow to the United States women's national team (USWNT), forward Catarina Macario has been ruled out of the Paris Olympics 2024 due to knee irritation, according to head coach Emma Hayes. Macario, who developed the injury during training this week, will not have enough time to recover before the games commence.

Hayes expressed her devastation for Macario, highlighting the hard work and dedication the forward had put in over the past year. Macario had previously suffered an ACL tear in May 2022 while playing for Lyon, which sidelined her for a year and a half, causing her to miss last year's World Cup.

Replacing Macario on the USWNT's Olympic roster will be forward Lynn Williams, who has previous experience participating in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the 2023 World Cup. However, the approval of the International Olympic Committee, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and FIFA is still pending since the deadline for final rosters has already passed.

As a result of Williams' inclusion, defender Emily Sams will assume the role of one of the four alternates for the USWNT. Sams had been training with the team this week, but the final approval for this change is also pending.

Hayes acknowledged the complexity of the situation and mentioned that Macario will return to her club, Chelsea, and receive treatment there. The USWNT coach also revealed that Macario had been experiencing some irritation leading up to training this week.

Although devastated for her teammate, Williams expressed her focus on supporting the team and fulfilling the role of an alternate, ready to contribute whenever called upon. Hayes emphasized that the team would adjust and utilize Williams' experience to their advantage.

With only two tuneup matches before their Olympics opener against Zambia on July 25, the USWNT finds themselves in a challenging position under new coach Emma Hayes. The team will have to make adjustments without Macario as they aim for a successful campaign in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Olympics women's soccer will follow a round-robin group stage, with the United States placed in Group B alongside Zambia, Germany, and Australia. The group stage is set to open on July 25, with the knockout rounds commencing afterwards. The quarterfinals are scheduled for August 3, followed by the semifinals on August 6. The bronze medal match will take place in Lyon on August 9, with the gold medal match set to be held in Paris on August 10.

The USWNT, their coaching staff, and fans alike will hope for a swift recovery for Catarina Macario while rallying behind Lynn Williams' addition to the roster as they aim for Olympic success in Paris 2024.