Overview
- Macario, unveiled Friday, joined the Wave on a contract running to 2030 after an immediate move from Chelsea for a reported $300,000 transfer fee.
- The club used the High Impact Player rule, which lets teams pay select stars beyond the salary cap by up to $1 million, to complete what sources value near $8 million in total guarantees.
- San Diego said the 26-year-old forward is managing a heel and foot injury and will not play right away, with a public welcome set for halftime Saturday at Snapdragon Stadium.
- The signing brings the U.S. international back to the city she moved to at 12 from Brazil, following standout runs at Stanford, Lyon, and Chelsea and 16 goals in 29 caps for the USWNT after leading the team in scoring in 2025.
- Wave leaders called the acquisition a monumental step toward contention, and the rare transfer fee plus record-level pay highlight a shifting NWSL market that could attract more elite talent.