Melanie Barcenas
PRONUNCIATION:
Mehl-ehn-ee Bahr-cay-nahs
HEIGHT:
5'4"
DOB:
October 30,2007
HOMETOWN:
Clairemont, CA
COLLEGE:
--
POSITION:
Forward
JERSEY NUMBER:
25
AGE:
15
CITIZENSHIP:
USA
LAST CLUB:
--
HOW ACQUIRED:
Signed through the NWSL U-18 Mechanism, Contract through 2025
On March 21, 2023, Barcenas became the first youth local player to be signed in NWSL history, as well as the first to join the Wave through the league’s new Under-18 Entry Mechanism. In addition, Barcenas is the youngest-ever contracted NWSL player at 15 years and 138 days.
A native of Clairemont, San Diego, Barcenas has spent her youth career playing for San Diego Surf. In addition, 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.
At the international level, Barcenas has been called into the U-14, U-15 and U-16 U.S. Women’s National Teams for training camps. Most recently, Barcenas was called up to the U.S. U-17 Women’s Youth National Team for matches against England and was the youngest player on the roster as the lone player born in 2007.
