SD Wave reportedly sign USWNT star Macario to historic contract
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
The San Diego Wave just signed the biggest contract in women’s soccer history.
Catarina Macario, a 26-year-old forward for the U.S. women’s national team, agreed to an $8 million deal through the 2030 NWSL season, as first reported Monday by Sportico. The New York Times and ESPN have since confirmed the report.
The contract’s total value would make it the biggest in women’s soccer history, surpassing the three-year pact signed by Trinity Rodman with the Washington Spirit in January.
Macario will join the Wave now, after the club payed a reported $300,000 fee to bring her over from Chelsea ahead of the NWSL’s transfer deadline on Monday.
Macario is a native of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil and is eligible to play internationally for both Brazil and the U.S. She became a citizen in October of 2020 debuted for the USWNT on Jan. 18, 2021, as a half-time substitution during a friendly match against Colombia. She has turned down multiple approaches by the Brazilian Football Confederation to change teams.
She played for Stanford University in college, and during her freshman year in 2017 scored 17 goals and notched 16 assists alongside former SD Wave players Tegan McGrady and Belle Briede on the way to a national championship.
It is unknown if Macario will be available to play in San Diego Wave’s upcoming road game on March 22 against the Utah Royals.
The Wave lost its season opener Saturday to the Houston Dash 1-0, on a goal from forward Makenze Robby, one of seven players from last year’s playoff team who didn’t return this season.
