The San Diego Wave just dropped some crushing news, officially placing United States Women’s National Team forward Catarina Macario on the season-ending injury list this past Monday. It’s a huge blow for a player who, despite signing with the Wave back in March from Chelsea and committing to the club through 2030, still hasn’t played a single minute for them. This isn’t just a missed season, it’s a gut punch for a team that’s invested heavily in her future.
Another Setback For A Star Who Can’t Catch A Break
Macario’s absence isn’t some minor bump in the road. We’re talking about a serious knee injury that has unfortunately become a recurring theme in her promising career. She actually posted a photo on crutches on Instagram Monday, confirming she’d undergone a minor procedure a few months ago. She held onto hope she could still hit the field this season, but ultimately opted to keep the “bigger picture in mind.” It’s tough to hear, especially when you consider her history. This is the same player who tore her ACL back in 2022 while playing for French club OL Lyonnes, an injury that kept her out of the 2023 World Cup. And just when you thought she might turn the corner, additional knee issues forced her to miss the 2024 Olympics.
You can practically feel her frustration reading her Instagram post. “To be completely honest, it sucks to find myself in this position again,” Macario wrote. “There’s no way around how difficult it is to go through another rehab and spend more time away from the game I love.” She misses competing, she misses football, and after coming home to San Diego, she wanted nothing more than to be out there with her teammates, representing this club and this city. It’s a brutal reality check, but she’s looking long-term. “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 for a long time to come,” she shared. That means patience and trust in the recovery process.
What This Means For The Wave’s Push
Wave general manager and sporting director Camille Ashton reiterated the club’s long-term faith in Macario, saying, “We made a significant long-term commitment to Cat because we believe in her ability to make a lasting impact on this club.” While the disappointment is clear, the focus remains squarely on Macario’s health and recovery. For the Wave on the field, they are currently sitting in fourth place in the NWSL standings with a 13-8-3 record. They’ve been playing well, having won three of their last four games. They’ll need to keep that momentum going, especially with Macario sidelined for the entire season.
The 2026 NWSL season kicked off back on February 11, and the team will host the Kansas City Current at 10 p.m. EDT this Friday in San Diego. It’s another chance for the Wave to show they can thrive even without their star forward on the pitch. While Macario’s presence is sorely missed, the squad has to keep pushing, keep fighting, and look forward to the day she can finally make her highly anticipated debut. That long-term commitment means everything right now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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