Meet Chelsea’s new USA stars: From San Diego Surf to ‘Lie-cester Square’… Mia Fishel and Catarina Macario are throwing themselves into London life as they gear up for ‘intense’ WSL

‘You’ve set us up to fail!’ Mia Fishel laughs as she and Chelsea team-mate Catarina Macario try their best to pronounce London tube stations.

‘Lie-cester square?’

‘Not quite.’

‘Lad-broke Grove?’

‘Lad-brook Grove’

The pair played together on youth side San Diego Surf forging a bond that has taken them both to west London (Macario – back row, third from right; Fishel – front row right)

Friends now, the pair found themselves on opposing sides whilst facing off in college teams

‘Marly-le-bone?’

‘Mah-lee-bun.’

‘What?’

It quickly becomes clear the Blues’ two new American stars are not going to get the hang of this. But there are more pressing matters.

Chelsea are preparing to defend their Women’s Super League title for a fifth straight season and Macario and Fishel have been brought in to sprinkle more quality to an already powerful attack.

Macario was born in Brazil and began playing football at the age of four. As the lone girl in boys’ teams, her talent was obvious.

But with girls barred from playing with boys from the age of 12, Macario’s family had a decision to make. With little support or opportunity afforded to women’s football in Brazil, Macario moved to San Diego, California, with her father and brother while her mother stayed behind to offer financial support.

It was there where she met Fishel. There is clearly a bond between the two players who have come through the ranks together.

‘We played for the same club, San Diego Surf which was really sweet,’ Macario says.

‘A little bit after that I went to University at Stanford and played against Mia a few times.. two national championships!’ At this point, Fishel rolls her eyes: ‘Yeah whatever…’

Macario previously played for Lyon but saw her last season in France stymied by an ACL injury

Both Fishel (left) and Macario have spent time exploring London since their arrival this summer

The former Tigres player was handed her first-ever USWNT call-up during September’s break

Fishel was born in San Diego and followed the ‘natural’ US soccer system. ‘I just wanted to focus on soccer, school wasn’t really for me.’

Like Macario, she has not taken the easy route. After graduating from the University of California, the forward was picked as the fifth draft pick by Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022. But Fishel instead opted to sign outside of the NWSL with Mexican club Tigres UANL.

‘I decided to trust myself and go to another league which was an amazing experience. A new culture, a new language, and the best team in Mexico.

‘I had like seven or eight national team players from Mexico on my team. It was a great environment that pushed me. I was able to flourish there.’

Both players are hoping to make an impact at Chelsea but may have to bide their time. Fishel faces stern competition from forwards like Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby while Macario is still recovering from the ACL injury she sustained in 2022.

The forward is hopeful she will be back on the pitch soon but is keen not to rush herself back before she is ready.

‘It’s taken a little bit longer than I’d hoped for anyone would have expected,’ Macario says.

‘One reason why I chose to go to Chelsea, Emma (Hayes) really focuses on doing the little things off the field. I feel like she has created a culture, not only on the pitch but off the pitch and really taking care of her players – not pressuring them to come back earlier than what they’re supposed to.

‘I’m really happy where I am right now, I really trust the medical team here.’

Chelsea begin their season with a London derby against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. For Fishel, a lifelong Chelsea fan, it will be a dream come true to follow in the footsteps of her heroes.

Macario has represented USWNT since 2020 after turning down opportunities from the Brazilian Football Confederation

Both players have room to develop at Chelsea, as Macario recovers from her earlier injury and Fishel (far right) vies with WSL talents including Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr for her place

Fishel and Macario have been warned about the intensity of the WSL from the USA players that have featured before them – and the cold temperatures!

‘Hazard was my favourite growing up,’ she says. ‘Drogba as well. Just watching them dominate the game at that level.’

Macario and Fishel are not the first Americans to have come over to the WSL – with Alex Morgan, Rose Lavelle, Tobin Heath and Christen Press having all had spells in England.

‘They’ve always praised how intense the WSL is,’ how competitive it is,’ Macario says ‘They’ve also told us where to go to buy some nice winter coats!’

Chelsea’s new signings may not have mastered tube stations, but they are seemingly settling into London life quickly. The hope is that they take to the WSL just as fast.