Alex Morgan showed support as the newest member of the Wave joined the team this weekend, attending a San Diego match on Saturday as Catarina Macario begins her next chapter in the NWSL.
The USWNT forward joined the Wave this month on a reported five-year deal worth around $8 million — one of the most valuable contracts in women’s soccer history.
Jimmy Butler starstruck by Alex Morgan is so relatable tbh 🤩 pic.twitter.com/tr2kp0eTsC
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) March 29, 2026
Alex Morgan, a minority investor in the 2022 expansion team, was captured interacting with Macario ahead of San Diego’s 2-0 Saturday win over Chicago. NBA star and fellow Wave co-owner Jimmy Butler was also at Snapdragon Stadium, with Butler appearing visibly starstruck upon meeting the retired Wave and USWNT icon.
26-year-old Macario arrives in San Diego from Chelsea, where injuries limited her minutes. However, she emerged as one of the most technically gifted attackers in the US player pool in recent years, scoring 16 goals across 29 national team appearances.
"This is a monumental signing, one that reflects not only our ambition on the field, but the unwavering commitment of our ownership group to invest in excellence and build a championship caliber organization," said Wave sporting director and GM Camille Ashton told The Athletic. "We're confident her best years are ahead."
The signing carries added significance for Macario, who grew up in San Diego before beginning her professional career in Europe with French side Lyon.
The Wave have positioned themselves as one of the NWSL’s most aggressive teams in roster building, using the league’s newly implemented High Impact Player mechanism to bring in impact players like Macario. Currently sitting second in the NWSL standings, San Diego is hoping to contend for its first-ever championship title in 2026.
