San Diego Wave officially announced on that Catarina Macario will be placed on the season-ending injury list for the rest of the 2026 NWSL season as she recovers from a “ongoing knee issue” according to Macario and the club.
Macario was originally out dealing with what was originally described as an foot injury when she was still with Chelsea before changing to a “heel” designation when she signed with San Diego and has remained on the injury report with the heel injury since. Macario announced on social
media today that she “underwent a minor procedure,” to address an ongoing issue with her knee .
“To be completely honest, it sucks to find myself in this position again. There’s no way around how difficult it is to go through another rehab and spend more time away from the game I love,” said Macario on social media. “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.
“But as difficult as that is to accept, I know what I’m working toward. 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 fora long time to come. For now, that means being patient, trusting the work we’re doing, and continuing to build toward what’s ahead.
The San Diego native was transferred from Chelsea in March 2026 for a reported $300,000 transfer fee and signed with the club in March 2026. The deal was monumental at the time, setting the record for the largest cumulative contract in NWSL history reportedly worth $8 million through the 2030 NWSL season.
“We made a significant long-term commitment to [Macario] because we believe in her ability to make a lasting impact on this club,” said Camille Ashton, San Diego Wave FC General Manager and Sporting Director in a 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.”
At her introductory press conference Macario was seemingly optimistic about her recovery believing that the move back home would help the healing process.
“When you play it’s a risk you have to be willing to take, but I think when you’re home it almost just makes everything better,” said Macario. “I obviously haven’t played in Chelsea (this year.) Maybe the skies are a little bit too gray for me. So, I think with the sunshine I think it will help heal me a little bit quicker and a little bit more.”
The injury is emblematic of Macario’s history as the last complete season as a starter came in her final year with Lyon in the 2021-2022 season.
Macario then made a move to Chelsea, but suffered an ACL injury that kept her out of the 2022-2023 season, and had a lingering issue for 2023-2024 which kept Macario away from the 2023 Women’s World Cup and 2024 Olympics with the United States Women’s National Team.
The Wave currently hold fourth place on the NWSL table with six matches to go, and play their next match at home on Friday, September 18, against the Kansas City Current.
