San Diego Wave Place Catarina Macario on Season-Ending Injury List
On September 14, 2026, San Diego Wave FC officially announced that forward Catarina Macario has been placed on the National Women’s Soccer League season-ending injury list due to an ongoing knee issue, ruling her out for the entire 2026 campaign before making a single appearance for her hometown club.
A Historic Signing Delayed by Persistent Medical Setbacks
The decision to shut down the 26-year-old forward arrives nearly six months after her high-profile acquisition. According to reports from [The San Diego Union-Tribune](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/09/14/wave-placed-catarina-macario-on-season-ending-injury-list/), the Wave paid a $300,000 transfer fee to bring Macario in from Chelsea in March. Following the transfer, the club signed her to a five-year deal worth approximately $8 million in fully guaranteed money, marking what the organization described at the time as one of the largest contracts in women’s soccer history.
However, physical ailments have continuously disrupted her timeline. When she initially signed with the club, the organization acknowledged she would need weeks of recovery from an undisclosed injury. Reporting from [The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7593277/2026/09/14/macario-knee-injury-san-diego-wave/) indicates that Macario was initially sidelined by a lingering foot and heel issue that also hampered her final months at Chelsea. A source with direct ties to the club confirmed that while addressing her heel trouble, Macario later underwent a minor procedure for an ongoing knee problem, sealing her absence for the rest of the year.
Club Strategy, Roster Relief, and Immediate Impacts
Placing a player on the league’s season-ending injury list provides clubs with vital roster flexibility and relief measures under NWSL guidelines. The Wave capitalized on this operational opening last week by acquiring 35-year-old Juventus forward Barbara Bonansea on a season-long loan extending through June 2027. Bonansea joins a forward corps that also includes teammate Dudinha, who is similarly sidelined on the season-ending injury list.
General manager and sporting director Camille Ashton emphasized the organization’s long-term vision regarding the heavy financial and athletic investment in Macario. “We made a significant long-term commitment to Cat because we believe in her ability to make a lasting impact on this club,” Ashton stated in a team release.
Player Outlook and Team Standings in San Diego
Despite missing the entire active schedule, Macario has maintained a visible presence around the team, attending every home match at Snapdragon Stadium and stepping into a mentorship role during her rehabilitation. A native of Brazil who graduated from Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, the forward expressed profound frustration paired with a commitment to the multi-year project.
“I’m obviously disappointed that I won’t have the opportunity to represent the club on the field this season, especially with how much it means to me to be back home in San Diego,” Macario said. “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.”
On the pitch, the Wave have managed to find offensive rhythm without their marquee signing. The team holds a 13-8-3 record, tied for third in the NWSL standings, and enters Friday night’s home fixture against the Kansas City Current having won three of their last four matches.