For Catarina Macario, ‘there’s no place like home’ – Equalizer Soccer

Credit: San Diego Wave FC

Catarina Macario is going home. The 26-year-old moved to San Diego from Brazil with her family 14 years ago. Today, the San Diego Wave announced that the club has acquired the forward from Chelsea, and in turn she has signed a contract with the club through 2030. 

“I’ve always wished that there would be a professional soccer club here in San Diego, at least when I was growing up and playing for San Diego Surf. So when the opportunity came about, it just made sense. I felt like it was the right time,” Macario said in a press conference Friday. “I think at some point you just learn that you have to do what makes you happiest.” 

Being back home has been full-circle for Macario. “I never would have imagined that 12-year-old Cat, not knowing how to speak English, being super scared, would one day come back and get to represent her hometown team, so that’s very special—something that I’m very proud of,” she said.

In addition to seeing the Wave facilities, she was able to see the fields where she used to play. “I think back in the day we used to have horses, so it’s changed a little bit—it’s gotten a little bit more bougie—but it’s unreal,” she said.