USWNT forward Catarina Macario joins San Diego Wave in blockbuster move

The San Diego Wave have announced the signing of U.S. women's national team forward Catarina Macario from Chelsea.

Macario joins the Wave on a contract through 2030, with the club using the NWSL's new High Impact Player Rule to make the move.

The Wave said that the 26-year-old's contract is among the largest women's soccer history.

San Diego will pay a reported $300,000 to land Macario immediatelyper ESPN, with the forward's Chelsea contract set to expire at the end of the season.

"We're thrilled to welcome Cat home to San Diego," said sporting director and general manager Camille Ashton. "Cat is a world-class player who has consistently performed at the highest levels of the game. She is an intelligent, technical and creative attacker with exceptional vision and composure in the final third.

"Her ability to unlock defenses and influence matches in multiple ways will further strengthen an already strong foundation as we continue building toward championship success. This signing reflects the ambition of our club and having a player of her caliber return to her hometown and represent San Diego makes this signing even more meaningful for our organization."

Macario will return to San Diego, where she moved as a 12-year-old in 2011 after spending the first part of her life in Brazil.

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"I'm really excited to join San Diego Wave FC and begin this next chapter of my career at home in San Diego," said Macario. "This city has played such an important role in my journey, and the opportunity to come back and represent it means a lot to me.

"From my first conversations with the club, I felt the ambition and the vision for what we can accomplish together, including bringing trophies to this city. I'm grateful for the belief they've shown in me, and I can't wait to get started and give everything for this team and my community."

After a stellar college career at Stanford, Macario turned pro in 2021 and signed with French power Lyon. Macario scored in the 2022 Champions League final, helping Lyon to a European title before moving to Chelsea in 2023.

Macario's progress was stalled by a torn ACL she suffered in 2022, which kept her out the better part of two years.

But the forward came back strong with the USWNT in 2025, leading the team with eight goals in 10 matches.

Overall, Macario has 16 goals in 29 caps for the USWNT.

March 21: The North Carolina Courage's Riley Jackson (right) fights for the ball against Gotham FC's Esther González (9) and Jessica Carter (27) during the first half at Sports Illustrated Stadium. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> March 21: Houston Dash midfielder Kiki Van Zanten (12) controls the ball as Boston Legacy FC defender Jorelyn Carabalí (16) defends during the first half at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston won the game, 3-0.

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NWSL action, goals, scenes and drama from 2026 season

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:USWNT star Catarina Macario joins San Diego Wave from Chelsea

byLiam Oneel

in

March 27, 2026

USWNT forward Catarina Macario joins San Diego Wave in blockbuster move

The San Diego Wave have announced the signing of U.S. women's national team forward Catarina Macario from Chelsea. ...

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Argentina coach: Lionel Messi 'earned the right' to make World Cup decision

Global soccer icon Lionel Messi has not decided whether he will help Argentina defend its FIFA World Cup title this summer in North America, national team coach Lionel Scaloni said.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and current Inter Miami superstar will turn 39 during the World Cup, which opens on June 11 and ends on July 19. He is Argentina's all-time leading scorer with 115 goals.

Scaloni said Messi has "earned the right" to weigh his decision and added there's "no rush about it."

"As far as I'm concerned, you already know where I stand," Scaloni said. "I'll do everything I can to make sure he's there. I believe that, for the sake of football, he has to be there. It's not me who decides. It's up to him, his state of mind, his physical condition."

"It's difficult because it is not just the Argentinians who want to see him, everyone wants to see him," he said.

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"I want him to be there. It's up to him to decide. He's earned the right to make that decision with peace of mind. We're in no rush about it. We know whatever he decides will be best for the team and for him. We hope he will be there."

Meanwhile, Scaloni did confirm that Messi will play in both of Argentina's home friendlies in Buenos Aires against Mauritania on Friday and Zambia on Tuesday.

"To have two more games on home soil, for an Argentinian, it is a beautiful opportunity to see him on the pitch, to enjoy what we enjoy when he is here," Scaloni said.

Argentina is slotted in Group J for the World Cup along with Algeria, Austria and Jordan. The title defense begins on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City.

--Field Level Media

byLiam Oneel

in

March 27, 2026

Argentina coach: Lionel Messi 'earned the right' to make World Cup decision

Global soccer icon Lionel Messi has not decided whether he will help Argentina defend its FIFA World Cup title this ...

Read More

Andrew Garfield Reveals He Only Watched the Harry Potter Movies 'Recently' While Refusing to Say J.K. Rowling's Name

Andrew Garfield is opening up about his decision to watch the Harry Potter films for the very first time and sharing some criticism of author J.K. Rowling

NEED TO KNOW

• During an interview on March 26, the Amazing Spider-Man alum shared praise for cast and crew members who worked on the films while also seemingly criticizing Rowling

• "You can't throw the baby out with the bathwater," Garfield said. "There are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films"

Andrew Garfieldis opening up about his decision to watch theHarry Potterfilms for the very first time — while opting not to name authorJ.K. Rowling.

During an appearance onHits Radioon Thursday, March 26, theAmazingSpider-Manalum, 42, revealed that he had never seen the hit franchise movies until recently and shared some praise for originalHarry PotteractorDaniel Radcliffeas well as many other cast and crew members who worked on the films, while also seemingly criticizing Rowling and referring to her as "she that shall remain nameless."

"Daniel is so goddamn good. Honestly, I hadn't watched theHarry Pottermovies until recently," the actor shared. "He's really good in those movies. ThoseHarry Pottermovies are really good."

"I know it's controversial and we shouldn't be putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through she that shall remain nameless, but the soul and spirit… the essence of the themes of those films and the kids and the artisans and the craft people," he continued. "I'm working with a wonderful makeup artist, Claire, who worked on the creatures… you can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films. I have a newfound appreciation for all of the artists."

TheHarry Potterseries is currently being remade as an HBO TV series. The first trailer for the project was released on Wednesday, just one day after the streamershared the first official photo of newcomer Dominic McLaughlinas the titular character, donning a Gryffindor Quidditch robe.

Rowling, who released her firstPotterbook in 1997 before the film series began in 2001, has faced backlash over herrepeated comments about the transgender community.

When the upcoming TV series went into development with Rowling involved, the network released a statement saying that the author "has a right to express her personal views."

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"We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views," HBO said in the statement, perVariety."We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement."

Several actors from the original film series have spoken out about Rowling's controversial comments over the years, including Radcliffe, who in April 2024 toldThe Atlanticthat her views have made him feel "really sad."

"I do look at the person that I met, the times that we met, and the books that she wrote and the world that she created, and all of that is to me so deeply empathic," Radcliffe, 36, said.

"ObviouslyHarry Potterwould not have happened without her, so nothing in my life would have probably happened the way it is without that person. But that doesn't mean that you owe the things you truly believe to someone else for your entire life," he added at the time.

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Production began in Julyon the new series, which will adapt each of the seven books into separate seasons of television. The eight-episode season 1 is titledHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

A logline reads: "There is nothing special about Harry Potter — at least that's what his Aunt Petunia always says. On his 11th birthday, a letter of admittance to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opens up a hidden world for Harry: one of fun, friendship and magic. But with this new adventure comes great risk as Harry is forced to face a dangerous enemy from his past."

Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

March 27, 2026

Andrew Garfield Reveals He Only Watched the Harry Potter Movies 'Recently' While Refusing to Say J.K. Rowling's Name

Andrew Garfield is opening up about his decision to watch the Harry Potter films for the very first time and sharing so...

Read More