Ever since Catarina Macario joined the NWSL’s San Diego Wave in March, fans across the league have anticipated seeing her play as a pro on these shores for the first time.
It hasn’t happened yet because of a heel injury that has sidelined her for the entirety of this calendar year. And now the wait is going to last even longer, because the Wave announced Monday that she has been placed on the season-ending injury list.
She also revealed in a statement on Instagram that “a few months ago,” she “underwent a minor procedure to properly address an ongoing issue” in her right knee.
“I worked incredibly hard with the hope of making it back this season, but ultimately doing this the right way meant keeping the bigger picture in mind,” Macario said.
Along with her NWSL year being over, Macario is out of the United States’ much-anticipated series against Spain next month, a matchup of the reigning Olympic and World Cup champions, in Washington on Oct. 10 and at Subaru Park on Oct. 13.
The 26-year-old, who grew up in San Diego after moving from Brazil with her family at age 12, is one of the U.S. program’s best talents. When healthy, she is as much of a difference-maker as fellow superstars Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman, and Sophia Wilson — with the bonus of being able to play as a forward or attacking midfielder.
Macario has only been able to show it in flashes for her country. She missed the 2023 World Cup with a torn ACL, and the 2024 Olympics with a knee issue.
When she finally got on the field last year, she led the U.S. with eight goals in 10 appearances. It seemed like she was finally on track to blossom into the star that so many observers hoped she’d become.
Before coming to the Wave, Macario rose from the renowned San Diego Surf youth club to college at Stanford, where she was such a star that she turned pro after her junior year with French superpower Lyon.
She spent two years there, then moved to England’s Chelsea, where she was coached by current U.S. manager Emma Hayes.
The Wave swung big to bring Macario home, signing her to a five-year deal worth $8 million, one of the biggest contracts in women’s soccer history.
“We made a significant long-term commitment to Cat because we believe in her ability to make a lasting impact on this club,” sporting director Camille Ashton said Monday.
Macario, in turn, was ready for the spotlight.
“To be completely honest, it [stinks] to find myself in this position again,” she said. “There’s no way around how difficult it is to go through another rehab and spend more time away from the game I love. I miss football, I miss competing, and after coming home to San Diego, I wanted nothing more than to be out there with my teammates, representing this club and this city.”
Now everyone must wait until next year, and hope that she’ll be ready for the World Cup — which Brazil will host, no doubt making it even more significant for Macario specifically.
“As difficult as that is to accept, I know what I’m working toward,” Macario said. “More than anything, I want to get back to feeling fully like myself again: playing freely, without feeling limited, and giving the best of me for a long time to come. For now, that means being patient, trusting the work we’re doing, and continuing to build toward what’s ahead.”
U.S. fans are also sweating on two other big-time players in the midst of long-term injury rehabs, bright young midfielder Olivia Moultrie (torn ACL in August) and veteran defender Emily Sonnett (torn patellar tendon in July). They will cut it close to make the World Cup at all.
But if Macario’s rehab goes to plan, she could be back on the field early next year.
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