The San Diego Wave FC have placed Catarina Macario on the season-ending injury list with what the club calls an "ongoing knee issue."
The move means that Macario's debut for the club won't happen until 2027, another frustrating development for the U.S. women's national team forward.
Macario signed with her hometown club in March
, with the Wave paying a reported $300,000 fee to land the 26-year-old from Chelsea.But Macario has yet to play for the Wave, as she's been listed as out with a "heel" injury on the NWSL's availability report since her arrival.
In a post on Instagram, Macario revealed she "underwent a minor procedure to properly address an ongoing issue with my 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," she added.
“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.”
Macario has struggled with injury issues since tearing her ACL in 2022, a setback that forced her to miss the 2023 World Cup and would ultimately keep her out for nearly two years.
The Brazil-born forward has 29 caps for the USWNT, scoring 16 goals. She led the team in goals in 2025, scoring eight times in 10 games. But her latest injury will once again put her availability for a major tournament in doubt.
Macario will have to prove her fitness to USWNT coach Emma Hayes ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which kicks off in June in her home country of Brazil.
The forward has yet to play in a major tournament for the USWNT, having been forced to withdraw from the 2024 Olympic roster with knee issues after originally being named to the squad.
For the Wave, meanwhile, their playoff push will have to continue without the club's marquee addition this year.
“We made a significant long-term commitment to Cat because we believe in her ability to make a lasting impact on this club,” Wave general manager Camille Ashton said in a club statement. “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.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: San Diego Wave move Catarina Macario to season-ending injury list
