US international forward Catarina Macario has joined the San Diego Wave on a deal worth $8m that runs through the 2030 season. The contract is reportedly the largest by total value in women’s football history.
The Wave announced the move Friday. ESPN reported that Macario would join the NWSL side immediately rather than in the summer, on a transfer fee of about $300,000.
Macario’s Immediate Impact on the Wave
The 26-year-old projects to immediately become the focal point of the Wave attack. San Diego have won two and lost one to start this NWSL season. They finished sixth in 2025, their first season under former Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall. Primarily based in a 4-2-3-1, the Wave were the third highest-scoring side in the regular season, with their 41 goals only trailing the Kansas City Current and Washington Spirit.
San Diego’s Attacking Style
Eidevall’s side generated plum scoring opportunities by passing into the heart of the box, often capping extensive buildup sequences. San Diego led all NWSL teams with a 59.5% rate of possession, more than 6% higher than any other side, and are second this season with 61%.
The frontline was retooled a bit over the winter. San Diego acquired winger Ludmila from the Chicago Stars via intraleague transfer, giving Eidevall one of the league’s most dynamic attackers to play alongside 20-year-old Brazilian forward Dudinha. Another compatriot, Gabi Portilho, was brought in from Gotham FC, adding a good pressing forward. Delphine Cascarino’s exit stung, but replacing her final-third guile with Ludmila and Macario leaves the team with plenty of firepower.
Macario’s Homecoming
The move also represents a homecoming for Macario. Born in São Luís, Brazil, she began her development in the academies of Flamengo, Cruzeiro and Santos before her family relocated to San Diego when she was 12. She spent five years with the local San Diego Surf, setting her youth league’s all-time scoring record, before playing collegiately for Stanford. There, she helped lead the Cardinal to NCAA titles in 2017 and 2019, linking up with future international teammates Naomi Girma and Sophia Wilson.
San Diego’s system should greatly benefit from Macario’s complete approach to playing striker. Her previous years spent in midfield make her a consistent contributor in buildup and difficult to dispossess, while her ability in the final third may better manifest in San Diego than she was able to under Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea.
Macario broke out professionally with OL Lyonnes, impressing en route to the 2021-22 UEFA W Champions League title.