da supremo: USWNT stars Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel may be thrust into the Chelsea attack following Sam Kerr's ACL injury.
da betsul: Article continues below
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Sam Kerr suffers ACL injuryOnly two strikers left on roster are USWNT's Macario & FishelEmma Hayes could look at duo ahead of Paris gamesWHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea's Australian star went down during a training camp in Morocco Sunday morning, suffering a season-ending ACL injury. As a result, Blues boss Emma Hayes has now been left shorthanded in the attacking department and could look to rely on the USWNT duo to lead them for the remainder of the campaign.
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If Fishel were to impress and earn the starting role, it would instantly boost her odds of making the USWNT roster for the upcoming Paris Olympic games this summer. Macario, meanwhile, is on her way back from an ACL injury herself and has been training with the first-team during their camp. With Hayes set to takeover the role of USWNT boss at the end of the WSL season, this could also prove to be the perfect opportunity for her to integrate one – or both – into the first-team picture.
Fishel has made eight appearances, scoring one goal, for the Blues in the WSL this season after signing from Tigres in August. Macario has yet to appear for Chelsea after making a blockbuster move from UCL winners Lyon in June.
Other options for the Blues include more minutes for the prolific Aggie Beever-Jones in a central role or moving England stars Lauren James or Fran Kirby into a striker position.
DID YOU KNOW?
On the international stage, Fishel recently scored her first goal for the USWNT, while Macario has eight goals and two assists in 17 international appearances.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA
Emma Hayes' side next take the pitch against West Ham United in the FA Cup on Sunday, before taking on Manchester United in WSL action on January 21. Hayes will hope that Macario will be fit to feature by the end of the month, while Fishel may get the nod from the start.