USWNT star Catarina Macario will miss upcoming Subaru Park friendly with season-ending injury
Macario hasn't played since joining the San Diego Wave in March. Now she joins the list of major U.S. names who are out of the big game against World Cup champion Spain in Chester next month.
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.
Unfortunately, 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 Macario has been placed on the season-ending injury list.
A source with knowledge of the matter told The Inquirer that she has also had a minor procedure to deal with an ongoing knee issue.
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.
“I’m obviously disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to represent the club on the field this season, especially with how much it means to me to be back home in San Diego,” Macario said in a statement. “But the club and I have made a long-term commitment to each other and are focused on the big picture. My focus is on continuing my recovery so that when I do return, I can feel like myself again and give the team and our fans the best version of me.”
The 26-year-old is one of the U.S. program’s very 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.
» READ MORE: The USWNT will play reigning World Cup champion Spain at Subaru Park in October
Unfortunately, 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.
The Wave were certainly ready for her. Macario grew up in the San Diego region after emigrating from Brazil with her family at age 12, playing for the renowned San Diego Surf youth club. That got her to college at Stanford, where she was such a star that she turned pro after her junior year with French superpower Lyon.
After two years there, she moved to Chelsea, where she was coached by current U.S. manager Emma Hayes. San Diego swung big to bring Macario home, signing her to a five-year deal.
» READ MORE: Brazil's iconic Maracanã Stadium will host the 2027 women's World Cup final
The club has waited since then, and so has everyone else. Now they must wait until next year, and hope that she’ll be ready for the World Cup — along with two other big U.S. names facing long-term injuries, bright young midfielder Olivia Moultrie and veteran defender Emily Sonnett.
“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. “While we are disappointed that she will not be available this season, we are focused on her health and on supporting her throughout this process.”
