The sequence between Yohannes, Ryan and Macario was the first time the trio had played together in a competitive setting. Despite their limited experiences during practice, their chemistry offered a promising glimpse into the possibilities that lay ahead for the national team and its growing player pipeline.

The 25-year-old impressed in her well-rounded 64-minute comeback before being subbed off for Lynn Biyendolo. As Macario left the pitch, she shared an embrace with USA head coach Emma Hayes, who was previously head coach of Chelsea when Macario signed for the club in 2023.

The Chelsea FC forward is finally playing consistently on the pitch after a long road back from an ACL injury she sustained in 2022. After extensive rehab and some setbacks with soreness that kept her off the 2024 Olympics, the Brazilian-American is back in the mix for the national team for the first time since June 2024.

Catarina Macario is returning to the U.S. women’s national team for the first time since last June for the SheBelieves Cup.

Catarina Macario said it felt like “a big weight off my shoulders” to score for the United States women’s national team again after a series of knee issues kept her out of the two most recent major tournaments.