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Macario out for SheBelieves Cup finale as USWNT star returns to Lyon
The young starlet will undergo a mandatory quarantine ahead of her club's Champions League clash with Brondby
U.S. women's national team midfielder Catarina Macario will miss the upcoming SheBelieves Cup finale as she has left the team to return to France.
Macario has departed the squad to return to her club Olympique Lyonnais in order to complete a quarantine period ahead of her club's return to Champions League play.
The former Stanford star started in the USWNT's 1-0 win over Canada to open the tournament but did not feature in Sunday's 2-0 triumph over Brazil.
What did U.S. Soccer have to say?
"U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Catarina Macario has returned to France and Olympique Lyonnais in order to complete her government-mandated seven-day quarantine so she can be prepared and eligible to play in the club’s UEFA Women’s Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against Danish side Brondby on March 4," U.S. Soccer said in a statement.
"Macario’s departure was previously agreed upon between OL and U.S. Soccer prior to the tournament."
Macario's career so far
Macario, who was born in Brazil but moved to the United States at age 12, is one of the more highly-regarded USWNT prospects in recent memory.
The 21-year-old phenom emerged as a star during her time at Stanford, and, after earning U.S. citizenship in the fall, she was approved for a one-time switch to the U.S. on January 13, paving the way for her to play for the USWNT.
Five days later, she earned her USWNT debut, featuring against Colombia. She scored in her second USWNT match, also against Colombia, as she provided the opening goal in a 6-1 rout.
On the club level, Macario opted to forego her senior year of college and a chance to play in the NWSL as she opted instead to sign a two-and-a-half year deal with French powerhouse Lyon.
She debuted for Lyon in the Division 1 Feminine on February 6, featuring in a win over Montpellier.
Up next
Lyon are currently in the Round of 16 in the Champions League, having toppled Juventus 6-2 in the Round of 32.
They'll host Brondby for their first leg on March 4 before then traveling to Denmark for the second leg six days later.
As for the USWNT, Macario figured to be a key part of the Olympic squad when the U.S. takes part in the competition this summer.
