It was the 72nd-minute game against the Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium on April 29 when 15-year-old midfielder Melanie Barcenas substituted for Isabella Briede to become the youngest to ever play in a National Women’s Soccer League game.

San Diego Wave announced it had signed Barcenas, a Clairemont native, on March 21 to a three-year contract, which also made her the youngest player to ever sign with an NWSL team.

“We wouldn’t have signed her if I didn’t believe in her at this age,” said Wave head coach Casey Stoney. “She’s creative. She’s an exceptional talent, but she’s obviously still only 15, so we need to look after her.”

Barcenas became the first high school player to sign a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Nike when she signed on Jan. 1, 2022. She has already been called into the U-14, U-15, and U-16 U.S. women’s national teams for training camps and was most recently called up to the U.S. U-17 women’s youth national team for matches against England where she was the youngest player on the roster.

“She still has a lot of lessons to learn,” Stoney added. “I think she’s gonna be a player that’s gonna get people off their seats, and a player that people wanna come and watch. So it’s an exciting future for her.”

Barcenas came into the match when Orlando was winning 3-1, which turned out to be the final score, but got a rousing ovation from the home crowd regardless in what Wave fans expect to be the first of many appearances for the young star.

Photo by San Diego Wave FC