Story thread · 2 reports / 2 sources

Wave FC extends San Diego native Melanie Barcenas through 2028

nbcsandiego.com · 14h · first reportShare

San Diego Wave FC signed Melanie Barcenas when she was 15 years old. At the time the Clairemont native was the youngest player ever to ink a National Women’s Soccer League contract. Three years later, she’s signing another one. Barcenas, still just 18, has become one of the most promising young goal scorers in the league so the Wave have rewarded her with a two-year extension that will keep her in San Diego through the 2028 season. In 23 appearances (12 starts) she’s scored 6 goals, tying the league record for goals by a teenager and she still has six matches left to play. Along the way she’s put herself in position to become a force on the United States Women’s National Team. Barcenas has represented U.S. Youth National Teams at six different levels and helped win the 2024 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship. Her breakout performance has been a big reason Wave FC are in 4th place in the NWSL, which would come with hosting a playoff match. They’re also just two points from jumping up to