San Diego Wave sign USWNT star Cat Macario in record NWSL deal
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USWNT star Catarina Macario rocks her new Wave jersey. Photo: San Diego Wave FC
San Diego Wave FC signed U.S. Women's National Team forward Catarina Macario in a record-breaking deal that makes her one of the highest paid players in the National Women's Soccer League.
Why it matters: The soccer star coming home to San Diego helps elevate the team into an NWSL Championship contender as it rebuilds with international and young talent.
- Her lucrative contract has been reported as the highest-value deal in the history of women's professional soccer.
Zoom in: Macario is set to earn roughly $8 million over five seasons, plus a signing bonus and incentives, Sportico first reported. Her contract runs through 2030.
- The Wave are able to pay Macario that salary through the NWSL's new high-impact player rule, which allows teams to spend up to $1 million over the league's $3.7 million salary cap on top talent.
- Macario transferred from Chelsea FC, one of the top European clubs, to her hometown team just ahead of the NWSL transfer deadline.
She'll make her NWSL debut with the Wave this season that's underway.
Flashback: Born in Brazil, Macario moved to San Diego at 12 and started playing for San Diego Surf youth club.
- She grew up scoring goals on the same fields in Del Mar that the Wave now use for training.
"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," Macario said in a statement.
- "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."
Catch up quick: The 26-year-old forward is very familiar with lifting trophies all over the world.
- Macario earned a scholarship to Stanford University, where she won two NCAA National Championships and MAC Herman Trophies as the nation's best collegiate player.
- As a pro, she won a UEFA Women's Champions League title with Lyon, back-to-back Women's Super League titles and the FA Women's Cup with Chelsea, plus a handful of other championships.
- Macario debuted for the U.S. Women's National team in 2021, won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and has become one of the team's most prolific goal-scorers.
- She missed the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and 2024 Paris Olympics due to knee injuries.
State of play: Macario is "an intelligent, technical and creative attacker with exceptional vision and composure in the final third," Wave sporting director and general manager Camille Ashton said in a statement.
- With Macario's skills, the Wave is bolstering its Brazilian arsenal up top with recently signed forwards Dudinha, Ludmila and Gabi Portilho as it chases its first NWSL Championship.
- Macario is dealing with a foot injury, so fans won't see her on the field right away but she'll be evaluated week to week.
Context: This isn't the first time the Wave have been involved in record deals.
- The club was sold to new owners in a $120 million deal that set a league record in 2024.
- The Wave also lost USWNT star Naomi Girma to Chelsea FC in a historic $1 million transfer deal last year.
What's next: Get tickets for the Wave game at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, when the club will formally introduce her to fans.