Report: NWSL teams interested in USWNT's Catarina Macario

Multiple NWSL clubs are preparing a push for Chelsea and United States Women's National Team forward Catarina Macario, who can sign a pre-contract Jan. 1 ahead of her deal expiring July 1, ESPN reports.

Macario, 26, is expected to draw strong European interest as well, but the NWSL's pending "High Impact Player" (HIP) mechanism could reshape the chase. As proposed, the HIP rule would let each club spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on designated stars in an attempt to stem recent outbound moves and keep marquee U.S. talent at home.

The NWSLPA has voiced opposition to the rule and ratification remains unclear, but Macario fits the profile of targets the league hopes to attract and retain.

Born in Brazil and a two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner at Stanford as the best player in college soccer, Macario turned pro with OL Lyonnes in 2021 before an ACL tear in 2022 sidelined her for the 2023 World Cup.

She joined Chelsea on a free transfer, then withdrew from the 2024 Olympic roster with what U.S. coach Emma Hayes termed a "knee irritation." Macario has been deployed as the USWNT's No. 9 and proved to be a key contributor, scoring three times across two year-ending matches vs. Italy.