The American forward scored her seventh goal from 19 appearances this season in our midweek win against Leicester City.

It is an impressive return for the 25-year-old who spent a period on the sidelines due to injury this season, and taking into consideration her two-year absence due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, of which she returned from late on last term.

Her first goal of the season arrived against this weekend's opponents, Crystal Palace. The forward netted our last goal in a 7-0 rout at Selhurst Park and will be hoping to have the same impact when we host the Eagles in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.

'My job is obviously to impact the team however much I can,' Macario said. 'We've had a tough run of games, so it's good to reflect on the stats, but at the end of the day, I just want to help the team.

'I hope I can keep improving and keep putting in good performances, especially during this block because we have some very important games coming up.'

'I'd say I'm still in pre-season mode, if that makes sense, because I missed so much football because I was out for almost two years,' Macario continued. 'It's hard sometimes to impact the team the way that I want to day in and day out.

'I'm still trying to pick up on the rhythm, get fitter, get stronger and remain patient. I just need to listen to the staff and know that I've come a long way.

'The most important thing is keeping my focus and making sure I'm available to keep building on my form. There is still a lot more that I can give and hope that I can show Chelsea that very soon.

'I take the little wins, whether that is scoring or getting assists, and every day I just hope to get better and impact the team in the best way possible.'

When Sonia Bompastor's side faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park earlier this season in the Women's Super League, we prevailed with our most prolific win of this campaign to date.

But, Macario knows the south London club cannot be underestimated as the then Championship club proved stiff competition for the Blues in the FA Cup last season. Mayra Ramirez netted her first Chelsea goal in a hard-fought win, securing our place in the quarter-finals.

'I remember the game last season,' Macario said. 'Every game is hard and every game is important. No matter who we play, we know we need to show up.

'Crystal Palace won't be any different. We know how much they can challenge us and, collectively, we know we can be better than we have been in the last few games.

'We're wanting to renew our energy and just try to lean on and support each other so we can do the best we can in the next games.'

With a place in the semi-final at stake on Sunday, Macario knows a win will take her and her team-mates one step closer to the final at Wembley in May. But, before they can even look to the showpiece event, the forward is aware we must focus on the task at hand.

'We always want to win,' Macario said. 'Personally, I've never played at Wembley and that would be a tremendous honour for any footballer to be given that opportunity.

'But, we know we have to take it game by game. First, we have Crystal Palace and, hopefully, we will see from there. That's the standard for Chelsea and that's our ambition.'