Catarina Macario is leaving Chelsea to join the San Diego Wave in a lucrative deal that secures her place through the 2030 NWSL season.
Catarina Macario is departing Chelsea to become the newest member of the San Diego Wave. The transaction requires a $300,000 transfer fee to facilitate the move. Following the acquisition, Macario will finalize an agreement worth approximately $8 million, a commitment that ties her to the National Women’s Soccer League franchise through the 2030 season.
This high-profile roster addition coincides with a noticeable transformation in how San Diego operates on the pitch. Over the past two years, the club has been steadily modifying its playing style.
When Casey Stoney took over as coach, she initially implemented a system heavily reliant on robust defensive strategies. This method proved effective during the organization's early years, resulting in key achievements:
Despite this early success with a defensive focus, distinct adjustments to their approach on the field started to surface as the 2024 season unfolded.
