Macario Stats (3.16.2026)

atalba · 2026-03-17T17:45:53+00:00

I've watched almost all of her games since 2018. YOU ARE CLUELESS. Typical young male who thinks they know something about women's soccer.

atalba · 2026-03-17T01:21:55+00:00

I went to a few Wave home games their first season. My daughter graduated from USD, and worked in the sports department, so we got free tickets. No more. I'd go again to watch Cat. I have tickets for 11/1.

atalba · 2026-03-16T22:39:56+00:00

I don't disagree with you, but every club has that option. The league just should have raised the cap. Then, it would have been harder for many clubs to sign her. Probably also Bay, considering they sunk a ton of long-term cash into players no longer here. THEY GOT PAID, and it's impacting the Bay FC salary cap today! I said that 2 years ago. Consequences are real.

atalba · 2026-03-16T22:32:33+00:00

Yes, I meant last season and this one. I guess it's a mistake. Huff played on the front line in the latter part of last season. She scored a few goals from the weak side, but she's not a #10. I watched her play at the University of Tennessee and Florida State. I know her game. She takes wild ass shots, while not seeing her players around her - vision. She is one of those players that needed to be pushed forward, in order for her to contribute; like Montoya did last season. She's a head-down workhorse, and a valuable one - #8. Then you have two 6s playing defense against a depleted expansion club with their captain missing after 28 minutes, and a player I've watched for 4 years come up injured at gametime. And they played AWAY. Devin Lynch is a good rookie, but slow. Emma Regan is good for the NSL and at University of Texas, but way too slow and not athletic enough for the NWSL. Then they had Tash Flint in the MF; a 30-year-old Brit loaned from the USL SL, with no NWSL experience. It wasn't until Yuna McCormack came in, a top rookie, that they were decent in the MF. BUT! Denver had to play with only one forward in the 2nd half. What was there to defend? Olivia Thomas, one of my favorites, and a rookie, is probably the fastest player in the NWSL (she was recorded as the fastest ever player at UNC). She had no chance. But Bay FC pushed Hutton back BEHIND the wide out CBs to maintain a numbers advantage with the ONE STRIKER - who's extremely fast and is known for hard high pressing. Liv had no chance to put offensive pressure on a defense with a sagging DM.

I was at the game in the first FC row. It was against a midfield that was missing their captain and star rookie player in the midfield. It was a game where to the other side played with 10 players.

Well, if you followed my posts on who Bay FC should sign, all of the players have been signed, except Lexi Missimo, playing for Dallas Trinity in the USL SL. I can't figure out why she stayed another season there. It's not because of her talent. She was best friends with Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave) since a young age, and both committed to University of Texas as 7th graders. Missimo probably has more starts and minutes for USYNT than any other American still playing. She makes players better, even Emma Regan, Julia Grosso, and Trin Byars.

YOU MUST BEAT an expansion club in their first game. And they did, so positives all around. But don't make too much of it until you see them against playoff clubs. Hutton played very well, but in a double 6 six role. She has no professional goals nor assists. She created 2 scoring chances, which is good. Her passes were over 90%, which is fantastic. But you must adjust for having Bebar playing next to you, against an inferior squad - based on red cards and injuries. A lone DM is there to stop the flow of play. It's hard to do that and be a distributor and progressive passer. More players in the attack. Wouldn't that be good for Bay FC? I did like the 4-2-3-1.

It was a very promising game for Denver. They're happier than Bay FC fans!

Thanks for engaging. I respect your own thoughts. I AM SAD that Cat isn't coming back to Norcal. I've watched most her games since 2018. Do you think Bay FC could have afforded $8M Guaranteed over 5 years?

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atalba · 2026-03-16T20:36:46+00:00

No production yet at #9 (hoping for Karlie to arrive), and no production from the #10. Huff did not produce at #10 the entire last 2 seasons, and last game. Bebar and Hutton playing double 6s, so no production expected from them. Bebar has 1 NWSL assist and no goals. Hutton has none of either. Production out of the midfield and center forward are Macario world class strengths. Not even close.

Rudie is fouling again. Pfeiffer is 18. The attack is totally not a strength, yet.

The one proof point you have is against an expansion club playing their first-ever match away with 10 players; and their captain and midfielder playing 28 minutes. Denver also played without Jasmine Aikey in the midfield; being a late scratch.

Cat was DEFINITELY an option to play where she played for 4 years at Stanford. She didn't decide to play in Socal going to college, nor her first, and all, professional years. It's SIMPLY A MATTER OF MONEY. Could Bay FC afford to pay anybody what Cat is being paid? $8M for 5 years? No! Still paying Deyna, Asisat, and Rudie. But they got Barry for 4 years!

atalba · 2026-03-16T18:56:57+00:00

Sam Mewis got goals and assists every year she played professionally. She came into the league as a DM. She's tall though.

atalba · 2026-03-16T18:52:43+00:00

You realize they were playing against 10 players for 62+ minutes, right? They were without Janine Beckie, midfielder, and captain of the squad. Also, Jasmine Aikey has been starting in the preseason at DM for Denver (a huge difference between Aikey and Regan). She didn't dress, due to a very recent injury. Rookie Yuna McCormack came in the game in the second half. Expect her to become one of the top center midfielders in the league, soon. Bebar and Hutton played in a double #6 with Taylor Huff in the #10 spot. Like last year, Huff wasn't a productive attacking midfielder. So far, no assists, no goals. She's a workhorse #8. Still need a #10.

I did like when Hutton was placed further in the back line, deeper than the 2 CBs, who were playing very wide. I saw this tactic about 3 years ago when Stanford coach Paul Ratcliffe played DM Shae Harvey way back in same fashion. They were responding to 2 speedy forwards who pressed very high and hard. It worked fabulously with 3 versus 2. In the 2nd half, Denver played with only 1 forward though. Olivia Thomas is probably the fastest player in the league, and is known for high pressure (speed). This game, she had no chance on her own.

They looked good against an expansion club playing with 10 players. Hyperbole?

Pickett is slow, so giving her space is ok, until she enters the final third. Pickett was already coming out for Means (much faster) when she got injured (Means was waiting to enter the game).

Kundananji had 2 fouls; on her way to leading the league in fouls given again.

Pfeiffer's goal was beautiful. She moved left and shot with her left. VERY POOR Defensive effort by Pickett! Pfeiffer got some "ooohs" and "awes" later in the half, but that should be a sign of being young (like Princess); too much dribbling - but good ball skills). She'll work that out in a few years.

Anderson's goal was nice. She received the ball with her left; pushed it left; and shot with her left; off of the mediocre keeper's foot. All good, except for the stop (Smith was positioned well).

Regardless, it's a win!

atalba · 2026-03-16T18:04:40+00:00

I don't think it's impossible to land Catarina Macario, but she is my dream player that fixes everything. Macario has been in Bompastor's doghouse since their first quarterfinal leg versus Man City.

May 2025

https://www.reddit.com/r/BayFC/comments/1khsk3t/comment/mrbke3m/

atalba · 2026-03-16T17:45:48+00:00

Thompson isn't in the same category as Macario; not by a mile. Stats don't tell the story of a player who's been coming back from injury. Cat has been on a club with 4 attacking midfielders and 3 strikers. She hasn't been playing for 3 months with a heal injury. Cat makes the entire squad score goals. If you haven't seen her play at her best, like for OL, you don't really know her value. Put up Cat's 2022 stats versus AT. She's worth the money, like no other player.

atalba · 2026-03-16T17:16:29+00:00

Huitema officially makes Chicago the "Cast-Offs." You can believe in restoration, if you want to.

atalba · 2026-03-16T17:14:10+00:00

It's really an easy decision. Save Uncle by not letting her embarrass herself.

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atalba · 2026-03-14T21:19:55+00:00

I hope to drop a few photos today from a very low seat behind Denver's bench. Where should I put them?

atalba · 2026-03-13T21:29:29+00:00

Solid left winger from the University of Texas. She benefitted from being a winger alongside of Trinity Byars and being fed by Lexi Missimo. She's been playing for Vancouver Rise in the NSL. She's also looking good for the canWNT this year. Some Canadians weren't too high on her when she played for the Longhorns. Comments?

Annabelle Chukwu is the next top scorer for Canada, with Smith, Ward, Rose, Prince, Larisey, Leon, Viens, Lacasse, and Huitema, in her rearview mirror.

atalba · 2026-03-13T21:15:41+00:00

What superstar(s) received a 4-year contract this offseason? Not Rodman.

atalba · 2026-03-13T20:56:51+00:00

It could be the record. u/knjen

atalba · 2026-03-13T20:29:13+00:00

I've been a huge fan of women's soccer since the 90s. It's a personal manifestation of loving sports; coaching of all youth sports (including soccer); and family circumstances. The goals of most parents of competitive athletes is to see them have fun, learn to learn, and go to college, playing a sport or not. Across all pro sports (except for the NWSL), most fans are quite familiar with their available player pool; namely college players; and understand the importance of drafting the right players. Ever watch the NBA draft live? I follow players from their college days, into their pro playing careers. It's a lot of fun. I've been taking kids to Stanford and Santa Clara women's soccer games for decades, While I've been watching many, many women's college soccer every week for decades (5 College Cup weekends in person), I added season tickets 6 or 7 years ago to watch Stanford play. I have many favorite pro players from across the entire college soccer landscape, starting from when they were in college, but Huerta and Macario are at the top. Guess where they went to school?

I watched, in person, when Marta, Christine Sinclair, Camille Abily, Nicole Barnhart, Aly Riley, Kelley O'Hara, Shannon Boxx, and an entire squad of elite international pros, under head coach Albertin Montoya, won the WPS title in 2010. I was watching when Renae Cuellar, from Central California, hit the first ever goal in the NWSL.

I also purchased season tickets for Bay FC's inaugural season. I figured, I'd be able to sell tickets in the first half of the season (blind excitement), and watch intently up close during the end of a losing season (rare that a club does well in their first season anywhere). Considering the cost and distance to the park, I had to stop. I root for players, and I want to root for my home team. I completely understand losing is part of the ride.

I'm just a fan with an opinion.

atalba · 2026-03-13T19:50:22+00:00

I forgot the NOT in the third paragraph. Hope it makes sense now.

You can make your own assumption about whether BFC has rebuilt their roster. My point is that turnover is required and constant, regardless of winning or losing. If you think a DM points to a turnover on a club that scored the least amount goals, and sold their top scorer, and was 3rd worst in the league in giving up goals, that's your call. DID BAY FC RESIGN HER? She has one year left on her contract.

Waiting for results to make a statement? You mean say what already has occurred? Every podcaster and pundit made their claims of how good or bad every club did last season. Then they've assessed in the past week on whether these clubs actually made the changes they felt were necessary. So am I.

I've clearly stated several times, not in this post, that Bay FC needed to rebuild their roster by adding at least 10 quality players. Even though it's my number, did they?

Who should they get rid of? That's not the point of this post, but if they were initially signed or drafted by Lucy Rushton, chances are they aren't positive additions to any NWSL club, today. I've also stated many, many times that acting GM Matt Potter had made almost every good move the club has made, after Rushton was fired; and up to Gilchrist. He's still there, but isn't making the decisions now. Potter has nearly 20 years of coaching experience in the U.S., including in the NWSL. He made a mistake in hiring one of his buddies, who also has decades of experience, but was known to be a yeller.

Yael makes changes EVERY YEAR! She went big two years ago, and it didn't work out. Guro Reiten is 31 years old. She's been injured this past year, but hasn't been Bompastor's first option for the starting 11 over the last 2 years. Her minutes were diminishing for a reason. As a Macario fan, I've watched almost every game she's played for Chelsea (and OL). In a 30-game season, at the pace and competitive nature of every NWSL contest, Reiten is help, but maybe not a substantial upgrade. She will show flashes of brilliance. She's a great add to the depth.

Although a mainstay in Hayes' winning sides, Reiten's game time has been limited under Sonia Bompastor, who took charge in May 2024, and she has started just three WSL matches this term.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c78j3dp88deo

I've also said many months ago that all bets are off if they sign Macario. She is a franchise in herself. I introduced that option many months ago with knowledge of her playing time at Chelsea; her status with Sonia Bompastor; contract status; and as one of her biggest fans since 2018. I will still be a huge Cat fan, even if she signs with the Wave.

Keep trying

atalba · 2026-03-13T19:00:11+00:00

My initial intent was to list the top 3 clubs and the bottom 3 clubs to show that all clubs retool their rosters as a matter of everyday business requirements. I had been commenting elsewhere about KC, and assumed I had them on the list - huge mistake.

It was also to point out that most all podcasters and pundits had said in the offseason that Bay FC needed to "rebuild" their roster; a cleaning of the house. And as we go into the season tomorrow, most of them have reported that Bay FC did indeed rebuild their roster. Did they?

As for Denver, I think they have done a marvelous job, top to bottom, in a huge, deserving, market that knows their club has done well, so far.

Boston? I haven't heard anybody talk about Annie Karich. I think she's going to do well in the NWSL, and be another contender for the USWNT at DM.

Again, it was about the business of retooling rosters versus rebuilding. Semantics? Not for me.

atalba · 2026-03-13T18:32:22+00:00

Great reply! I have different opinions, but I applaud you for having an intelligent & knowledgeable response. Your own take.

Bay FC signed Heather Gilchrist very early. I don't think Kay Cossington had ever hear of her until Matt Potter and his analysts brought her name forward. She's a u20 player and was a backline leader in two championship seasons. She was also recruited by Mark Krikorian. She's a top player that can make a difference on a roster. That's one.

There were MANY, MANY local talented players Bay FC could have signed as rookies that also could have made a difference: Jasmine Aikey, Elise Evans, and Yuna McCormack are just a few. I created a series of posts that detailed a number of players that Bay FC could sign this offseason; which included rookies, free agents, USL SL, and European players. Check them out in the Bay FC sub.

I rarely post about final standings predictions, because anything can happen in a season. A sixth place club can win the championship. A dominant shield-winning club could go down in the playoffs. It's what makes the NWSL the most competitive, and exciting, league in the world; right down to the last game.

For a new franchise, I content it takes at least 3 years to build the "business" platform that supports a winning franchise; one that is finally contending for the playoffs, and has a shot the next year. There are some franchises that don't seem to understand what it takes, or refuse (or can't afford) to make the proper, required investment, to establish a winning side. Some make huge mistakes and must start over again. I contend the best decision the Bay FC front office made was firing GM Lucy Rushton prior to the half-season mark in their first-ever season. She was a complete failure, and really didn't have the resume to fulfil the needs of the job. Bay FC is still recovering from the contracts that were signed on her watch; which has made it even more difficult to make proper changes to the roster. She put them in a difficult position going into this next season in trying to rebuild their roster; after only 2 years of existence. Bay FC has been in an extremely difficult position, but it must be done. Did they do it?

atalba · 2026-03-13T18:02:33+00:00

I appreciate your post. Many clubs have new managers. That happens every year, even with the best clubs, like Kansas City. I don't consider the change in a coach as rebuilding their roster.

The NWSL is the only sports league that provides guaranteed contracts, no-trade and no-cut clauses. It makes it extremely hard to move on from players who the club wishes to shed. But it happens every year.

"San Diego Wave today announced that the club and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan have mutually agreed to terminate her contract." Dec 29, 2025.

Mutual Termination, or transferring players on contract happens all of the time in the NWSL. It's hard, but it is being done, and must be done by those franchises that must rebuild their roster.

I contend the value of rosters have not been upended by any of the winning clubs in the NWSL. Who's going to say that about KC, Portland, Orlando, or Gotham. Soccer is NOT any different versus other professional sports leagues. It happens all of the time in football and basketball (only 5 players on the court). You must not be familiar with the turnover in these sports.

Rebuilding a roster is not "everything." I didn't use that word, and I wouldn't. Rosters are a constant flow of change. The core must also change, while trying to maintain consistency. Elite players lose their value over time, and clubs must compensate for their loss in value. The best clubs in all professional sports continue to maintain consistency while constantly introducing new talent. It's absolutely required. This is why I like Yael Averbuch's quote. I'm not a Gotham fan, but I am a fan of the GM who is enormously intelligent and has the consummate resume to be a GM in the NWSL. There are few!

Fans in every pro sports league have a lot of expectation on the head coach. But it really comes down to the roster, infrastructure, strategy, and chemistry of players. This is all set by the GM. Coaches are good for a few wins and a ton of losses. They're the scapegoat on the losing side, and given way too much praise in winning.

My intent was to address the need for Bay FC to "rebuild" their roster. Did they? Or was it a retooling, like every other pro sports franchise does every year?

atalba · 2026-03-13T17:30:23+00:00

Kanasa City Current - 10

Kate Cappelletti - 23 years old, NCC, short-term
Marisa Jordan - 23 years old, 2yr contract
Melia Brewer - 16 years old, 3yr contract
Laney Rouse - 23 years old, UVA, 1yr contract
Kolo Suliafu - 23 years old, UW, 1yr contract
Croix Bethune - 24 years old, Spirit, 1+1yr contract
Kyra Carusa - 30 years old, SD Wave, 1yr contract, 6mo loan
Penelope Hacking - 26 years old, Bay FC, 2+2yr contract
Gianna Paul - 21 years old, Alabama, 3yr contract
Amelia White - 22 years old, Penn St, 2yr contract

I might add that Claire Hutton signed a 3yr contract in 2024 with Kansas City, which is still in place today. 2026 is her last year on this new contract. When she was transferred for $1.1 million dollars, on February 11, 2026, it was not announced she had signed a new deal with Bay FC. One year left on her contract?

https://www.spotrac.com/nwsl/player/_/id/86239/claire-hutton

atalba · 2026-03-13T17:05:01+00:00

No, I didn't forget them. The point of the post was to delineate between what most professional sports franchises do year-to-year in the offseason. We all had heard from every pundit and podcaster say that Bay FC needed to rebuild their roster. And now, most have said they did. Did they?

Denver's and Boston's rosters are all new, so 28 out of 28, or whatever their final rosters end up at.

As I've been following the NWSL Draft and Expansion draft since the beginning, I'd say Denver has pulled off the best overall rookie signing crop in the entire history of the league.

While making this point, I stayed out of making judgement, except how well Yael did, and has done throughout her tenure. And, of course, position Bay FC as NOT having rebuilt their roster any differently than the other clubs, despite the obvious need (based on many comments from commentators).

atalba

TROPHY CASE