Sad news for Macario, Williams jumps into the fray — Perspective from Mia Hamm
The IX: Soccer Monday with Annie Peterson, July 15, 2024
Catarina Macario won’t be playing at the Olympics. She has irritation in her right knee that means she won’t be ready in time for France.
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“Her welfare comes first,” U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) head coach Emma Hayes said Friday morning before the team’s friendly against Mexico at Red Bull Arena. “She’s done everything she can and she’s devastated. But it’s not a long-term situation — just not going to recover in time for the Olympics.”
Lynn Williams, initially named as an alternate, will take Macario’s place on the 18-player roster. And Orlando Pride defender Emily Sams will become an alternate.
The U.S. Olympic Committee, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee approved the replacements.
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Williams is a bit of a different player than Macario, so the team will have to adjust its plans just slightly.
Williams came in as a second-half substitute on Saturday when the United States got a bit of revenge against Mexico with a 1-0 victory at Red Bull Arena.
Mexico defeated the USWNT 2-0 back in February at the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup. It was just the second win ever by Mexico in the series against the United States. At the time, there were questions about the once-formidable United States and how the rest of the world — even a rebuilding Mexico — had caught up. The loss helped drop the U.S. to No. 5 in the FIFA rankings, the team’s lowest rank ever.
While there are still questions about the United States, the team has won three straight since Emma Hayes arrived — all shutouts. This doesn’t necessarily mean the team is back. There were a series of missed attempts in the opening half until Sophia Smith broke through in the 64th. So still a lot to work on. But there seems to be a good connection between Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith — who scored the lone goal.
The game was dubbed the “Impact 99” match in honor of the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Women’s World Cup victory. It was the first time all 20 members of the squad were together.
Must-click links
The Athletic asks what is left for the UWSNT to work on ahead of the Olympics
Emma Hayes explained the rule change for alternates at the Olympics, from CBS Sports.
ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf wrote about the impact of The 99ers
Lindsey Horan wants gold, from The Equalizer
Goal.com has all the Olympic rosters in one place
The Olympics channel with a nice profile of Racheal Kundananji
The Guardian with a story on how Australia’s injury concerns are mounting
SI with a feature on Jaedyn Shaw
Great column from Nancy Armour at USA Today
Carli Lloyd calls out the media bubble that covers the USWNT Not sure I agree. There is positive coverage AND negative coverage. The media were highly critical of the team during the World Cup. And the last Olympics I remember the media being savage. So…?
The Philly Inquirer with a story on Lindsey Horan’s leadership
Q+A with Mia Hamm
Here’s a bit of what Mia Hamm said on Friday ahead of the match in the mixed zone. Thanks to U.S. Soccer for sending the audio while I packed for France.
Question: How do you feel about this 25th anniversary celebration?
Hamm: This is a lot of fun. It’s the first time all 20 of us have been together. And it means so much. First of all, just want to thank Cindy Parlow Cone and U.S. soccer for for doing this for us. It’s not just about the players, but our staff’s going to be here and it takes a village to kind of get a team where they need to be. To be able to do it, and also in conjunction with this current team going off to the Olympics and how excited we are, for Emma and all the players. Just to be here to cheer them on as they go try to win gold is really special for all of us.
Question:. You guys were kind of a launching pad for this movement in women’s sports. What does it mean to see this happening right now, 25 years later?
Hamm: Exciting obviously as a former athlete, but as a mom especially to see the opportunities that are out there. You know, we wish it could have happened sooner, but at the same time, to celebrate the work that the current crop of athletes and executives are doing, to help promote and build the game. First and foremost to this team and the way they conducted themselves, the way they take pride in their craft. It’s a really wonderful time to not only be an athlete, to be a lover and supporter of women’s sports.
Question: When you watch this current team 25 years later, where do you see your influence?
Hamm: Well, hopefully, the pride in wearing the crest, but also, just aspects that they don’t have to worry about, whether that’s the flights or hotels. I know there are members of this team that have done incredible work ensuring equal pay. The things that maybe as an outsider, you don’t recognize, but that are just more aspects of — whether it be travel or preparation — that make your job easier and let you concentrate fully concentrate on being the best athlete you can be.
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