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San Diego Wave FC have added a major piece to their attack, signing United States international Catarina Macario under the new high impact player rule. While the exact timeline for her availability remains unclear, the move signals clear intent from the Wave to invest in elite attacking talent.
It was always San Diego...
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) March 27, 2026
Catarina Macario is home 🌊 pic.twitter.com/KhqUitxm5T
For Macario, the transfer represents something of a homecoming. Born in Brazil, she moved to the United States at age 12 and spent part of her youth in Southern California, developing with the San Diego Surf. She went on to star at Stanford University, where she scored 63 goals in 69 appearances, won two national championships, and claimed back-to-back MAC Hermann Trophies as the top player in college soccer.
Rather than entering the NWSL through the draft, Macario began her professional career in Europe with Olympique Lyonnais, later joining Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Across her club career, she has shown her quality as a dynamic, technically gifted forward capable of playing centrally or drifting into creative spaces.
However, injuries have played a significant role in recent years. A torn ACL in 2022 sidelined her during a crucial stretch of her career, including the 2023 Women’s World Cup. More recently, she has dealt with ongoing setbacks, including a heel issue that has kept her off the pitch. As a result, it remains to be seen when Wave fans will get their first glimpse of Macario in action.
Even with that uncertainty, the upside is undeniable. When healthy, Macario brings creativity, movement, and clinical finishing, qualities that could elevate an already dangerous Wave attack. Her ability to link play and operate across the front line adds another layer of flexibility to the team’s system.
For a Wave side looking to turn flashes of attacking quality into consistent production, Macario’s arrival could prove transformative. Whether she makes an immediate impact or builds back gradually, her presence alone raises the ceiling of what this team can become.
