“I’m really excited to join San Diego Wave FC and begin this next chapter of my career at home in San Diego.”
The San Diego Wave have acquired former Torrey Pines High School star Catarina Macario from Chelsea and signed her to a contract through 2030. During their short existence, the San Diego Wave have boasted more star power than any other team in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The Wave announced Friday morning that they’ve acquired Macario on a transfer from Chelsea and signed the former Torrey Pines High School star to a five-year contract. ESPN reported the pact is worth roughly $8 million, making it the largest total contract in NWSL. Reports of a deal emerged shortly after the league’s transfer window closed on March 16, but the Wave held off on making it official until Macario returned stateside. Macario will be introduced Friday morning in a news conference at Snapdragon Stadium. The plan is for the forward to be back at Snapdragon on Saturday for the club’s home game against the Chicago Stars. Macario is rehabbing an injury and will not make her Wave debut for a number of weeks. “I’m really excited to join San Diego Wave FC and begin this next chapter of my career at home in San Diego,” said Macario, who will wear No. 20. “This city has played such an important role in my journey, and the opportunity to come back and represent it means a lot to me. From my first conversations with the club, I felt the ambition and the vision for what we can accomplish together, including bringing trophies to this city. I’m grateful for the belief they’ve shown in me, and I can’t wait to get started and give everything for this team and my community.” Catarina Macario moved to San Diego County at age 12 and starred at Torrey Pines High School before attending college at Stanford. Macario, 26, was born in Brazil before moving to San Diego at age 12 to pursue her dream of playing professional soccer. She starred for the San Diego Surf club team and later at Torrey Pines. From there, she matriculated to Stanford, where she won two national championships and two MAC Hermann Awards, given to the nation’s top college player. Macario turned pro after three college seasons, playing with Lyon before her 2023 transfer to Chelsea. While in England, Macario was part of a Chelsea club that won back-to-back Women’s Super League titles, a Women’s League Cup title and an FA Women’s Cup crown.Macario has also appeared in 29 matches for the United States Women’s National Team, scoring 16 goals. She’ll join a Wave team that, like Macario, has ties to both Brazil and San Diego. The club acquired Brazilian-born forwards Ludmila and Gabi Portilho this offseason and paired them alongside Dudinha, last year’s breakout scoring star and a fellow Brazilian native. Another forward, Melanie Barcenas, is a San Diego native who is viewed as a potential future star. Both Dudinha and Barcenas scored in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Portland Thorns at Snapdragon Stadium. The Wave are 2-1-0 heading into Saturday’s match. Camille Ashton, the Wave’s sporting director and general manager, called Macario “a world-class player who has consistently performed at the highest levels of the game.” “This signing reflects the ambition of our club, and having a player of her caliber return to her hometown and represent San Diego makes this signing even more meaningful for our organization,” she said.Fourth Padres suitor becomes publicNightmare start for Nick Pivetta, Padres in opening-day loss to TigersShortage of air traffic controllers triggers heavy delays at San Diego airportSDG&E trying to figure out what caused big power outage Thursday night Firefighters should take 1 or 2 minutes to prepare for a call. San Diego’s take 4, audit finds. Here’s what’s to blame. Firefighters should take 1 or 2 minutes to prepare for a call. San Diego’s take 4, audit finds. Here’s what’s to blame.
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