Chelsea’s Macario Draws NWSL Interest

Details

Catarina Macario, the talented forward of Chelsea and the United States, is attracting attention from several National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) teams, multiple sources have confirmed to ESPN. Macario’s contract with Chelsea is set to expire on July 1, making her eligible to sign a pre-contract with any team starting January 1, as per FIFA regulations.

Salary Cap Restrictions and the HIP Rule

The NWSL’s salary cap has been a significant barrier for teams looking to acquire top players like Macario. However, the proposed “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule aims to address this issue by allowing teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on star players who meet certain criteria. This rule, which has been met with opposition from the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA), could potentially make it possible for NWSL teams to retain and attract top world players.

Macario’s Background and Career

Born in Brazil, Macario moved to the United States at the age of 12 and went on to star at Stanford University. She became a U.S. citizen in late 2020 and committed to playing for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) under then-head coach Vlatko Andonovski. Macario’s impressive college career earned her two MAC Hermann Trophy awards as the best player in college soccer. However, her professional career has been marred by knee injuries, including a torn ACL in 2022 that kept her sidelined for a year and a half.

Recent Form and USWNT Selection

Macario has recently returned to form and has been a key player for Chelsea and the USWNT. She was selected to the USWNT’s Olympic roster in 2024 but had to withdraw due to a knee irritation. The US team went on to win a gold medal that summer. Macario has been a crucial player for the USWNT, especially in the absence of the starting forward trio that won Olympic gold in 2024.

Conclusion

With her contract set to expire in July and the proposed HIP rule potentially changing the salary cap landscape, Macario is likely to be in high demand from NWSL teams. As one of the top players in the world, her signing could be a significant boost for any team looking to compete at the highest level.

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