Brazilian-born Catarina Macario, who led Stanford the 2017 NCAA Division I championship as a freshman, has been called up to the U.S. under-23 national team for the Thorns Spring Invitational, the NWSL preseason tournament hosted by the champion Portland Thorns that begins Sunday at the University of Portland.
Macario assisted on all three Stanford goals in the 3-2 win over UCLA in the Women's College Cup final and finished the season with 17 goals and 17 assists to lead the nation with 51 points.
Macario moved to San Diego from Brazil at the age of 12 with the goal of making it as a soccer player. She has a green card but is not yet eligible to play for the USA in international competition.
Head coach B.J. Snow named 24 players to the roster, 23 collegians plus Thorns keeper
Bella Geist. Three other Stanford players are in the squad. The U-23s will play the Houston Dash, Chicago Red Stars and Thorns.
U.S. U-23 roster:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Ella Dederick (Washington State), Bella Geist (Portland Thorns).
DEFENDERS (8): Julia Ashley (North Carolina), Natalie Jacobs (USC), Ellie Jean (Penn State), Hailie Mace (UCLA), Phoebe McClernon (Virginia), Tegan McGrady (Stanford), Kaleigh Riehl (Penn State), Samantha Staab (Clemson).
MIDFIELDERS (7): Dorian Bailey (North Carolina), Jaye Boissiere (Stanford), Jordan DiBiasi (Stanford), Kristina Fisher (Miami, Fla.), Julie James (Baylor), Parker Roberts (Florida), Ella Stevens (Duke).
FORWARDS (7): April Bockin (Minnesota), Jamie Cheslik (Michigan State), Tziarra King (N.C. State), Catarina Macario (Stanford), Kayla McCoy (Duke), Paige Monaghan (Butler), Morgan Weaver (Washington State).
