Before the U.S. Women’s National Team split a pair of matches with Brazil in April, head coach Emma Hayes was both optimistic and realistic about the development of Catarina Macario in her second camp back from various injuries that kept her out of international play for almost three years.
Hayes simply said, “Have we seen the best of Catarina Macario? Absolutely not.”
In the second match of the two-game series against Brazil in San Jose, Calif., Macario showed a glimpse of what that best looks like when she scored within the first minute, the seventh-fastest goal in USWNT history.
Macario recorded goal No. 10 with the USWNT as she earned her 23rd cap. She was a bright spot as the U.S. fell to Brazil 2-1 after beating the South Americans, 1-0, in the first match.
“I think Cat's been really good this camp, really shown her qualities to hold the ball up and play,” Hayes said Tuesday. “In fact, I felt we just didn't get enough support around her. The longer the game went on, and once she went out of the game, it showed. We missed that ability to hold the ball up in the way she does. I think it's been really, really good progress for her.”
The 26-year-old forward returned to international play against Colombia in the Americans’ SheBelieves Cup opening game in February. That was her first national team match in three years after she tore her ACL in 2022. Macario also scored in that game.
Two camps back and two goals scored. Slowly, but surely, Macario is getting more comfortable on the pitch again.
“I think it just gives me a little bit extra confidence in knowing that I’m doing something right,” Macario said. “That was my job as a nine to be there and score goals. I think whatever way I that I can help the team, that’s my job.”
This camp in particular, and the game in San Jose, carried an even deeper meaning for Macario. The Brazilian-born Macario played Brazil for the first time in her international career on Tuesday night. The forward moved to the U.S. when she was 12 years old, and in 2021 FIFA granted her eligibility to suit up in the red, white and blue.
Macario also scored the historic goal in a place where she’svery familiar. Just about 20 miles down the road she played at Stanford where she won two NCAA Women’s College Cups (2017, 2019). In fact, she played her final collegiate game in the same stadium, Paypal Park, to win her second national championship.
“A lot of good memories, and I’m very happy to have scored and to be able to do that in front of the crowd, in front of my Stanford coach and friends,” Macario said. “ ... It’s a special place for sure.”
It helps that Macario also has familiarity playing for Hayes. The head coach recruited her to play in 2023 for Chelsea FC where Macario still plays. If that alone doesn’t raise Macario’s confidence, Hayes will ensure she does.
“I will keep reminding her of all the brilliant things she brings to this team,” Hayes said.
