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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Macario receives recovery boost for Chelsea</li><li>Happened ahead of Blues victory over Sunderland</li><li>USWNT star on-track for late February appearance</li></ul>

Huge boost for Catarina Macario! USWNT star marks significant milestone in ACL injury recovery before Chelsea's thumping League Cup victory over Sunderland

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<p>The 24-year-old attacker joined the Blues for pregame warmups against the League One side Wednesday night in their Women's League Cup contest. The USWNT star participated with the whole group as she continues her planned recovery from a 2022 ACL tear.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Look who joined us for warm-ups tonight. 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFCW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFCW</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ContiCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ContiCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/6YPwLD3TMP">pic.twitter.com/6YPwLD3TMP</a></p>— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChelseaFCW/status/1755301830349693335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The USWNT star posted an update on Instagram ahead of the contest, stating she was 'Soooo happy' to be 'stepping in the right direction.'</p><picture><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt3af01482bb633f8a/Macario.JPG?format=webp" type="image/webp"><source srcset="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt3af01482bb633f8a/Macario.JPG?format=jpg" type="image/jpeg"><img src="https://assets.goal.com/images/v3/blt3af01482bb633f8a/Macario.JPG?format=jpg" alt="Catarina Macario Instagram post" data-source="" data-copyright="Instagram" data-portal-copyright="Instagram" perform:prop="uuid:blt3af01482bb633f8a;width:388;height:714"></picture>

WHAT MACARIO POSTED

<p>Macario has been sidelined with an ACL injury for over 18 months, having not made a single appearance for the Blues since joining in the summer of 2023. Prior to that, she won the UEFA Champions League with Lyon in France, where she scored 28 goals in 42 matches across all competitions. Now, after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/simple-innocuous-how-chelsea-star-sam-kerr-suffered-acl-damage-emma-hayes-reacts-wsl-season-ending-injury/blt91b8dc56ac9952cc" target="_blank">Sam Kerr's brutal ACL tear</a> this January, the Blues could use Macario's nose for goal to shoot for the treble in Emma Hayes' final season in charge before she takes over as the new USWNT boss this summer.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/catarina-macario-almost-back-chelsea-emma-hayes-time-frame-uswnt-star-debut-acl-injury/bltdddac14e515d5c1f" target="_blank">The USWNT forward has been touted for a return to the pitch after the current FIFA international window for the women's game</a>. Interim USA boss Twila Kilgore announced her roster yesterday, with Chelsea teammate Mia Fishel in the mix up top. However, after the window, Macario's long-awaited return could mark a sensational moment for both the Blues and the USWNT ahead of this summer's FIFA World Cup.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MACARIO AND CHELSEA?

Huge boost for Catarina Macario! USWNT star marks significant milestone in ACL injury recovery before Chelsea's thumping League Cup victory over Sunderland | Goal.com English Qatar

USWNT star Catarina Macario received a brilliant recovery boost Wednesday afternoon ahead of Chelsea&apos;s thumping over Sunderland.

Huge boost for Catarina Macario! USWNT star marks significant milestone in ACL injury recovery before Chelsea&apos;s thumping League Cup victory over Sunderland