Wave FC defeated the Chicago Stars 6-1 Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium, and in theprocess, not only moved up in the standings, but also clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs.
It also was the club’s first home win in five months. Going into Saturday’s game, the Wave hadn’t won a home match since May 25 against North Carolina.
But fortunately for San Diego, the Stars have the worst record in the NWSL, and played like it during Wave FC’s last home match of the regular season.
Throughout the match, the Wave lived up to its name by crashing down on Chicago over andover. San Diego forward Delphine Cascarino opened the scoring less than seven minutes intothe game when she found the back of the net with a right-footed shot to the center of the goal.
Then, during the 15th minute, the Wave’s lead increased to 2-0 when Stars defender SamStaab accidentally scored against when the ball bounced off her left foot as she was trying to deflect it, and it landed in Chicago’s net.
During the 18th minute, Brazilian midfielder Dudinha scored with a right-footed shot to thebottom-right corner of the net to make the score 3-0 Wave. And in the 44th minute, defenderKristen McNabb connected with a header to the center of the net that increased San Diego’slead to 4-0 going into halftime.
“It finally feels like we’re putting the puzzle pieces together,” McNabb said later during the post-match press conference.
The halftime statistics were as lopsided as the score. San Diego retained ball possession for59% of the initial 45 minutes and took nine shots, compared to four for Chicago. Wave FC’sfour shots on goal were double that of the Stars. Wave FC also made 247 total passes, compared with 128 for the Stars.
The onslaught continued in the second half. During the 57th minute, Dudinha, who joined theclub in July, collected her first brace as a member of the Wave when she hit a right-footed shot from the front of the goal to the center of the net, making the score 5-0.
Despite being down big, Chicago continued to fight. During the 71st minute, Stars substitute midfielder Bea Franklin, who entered the match during the 34th minute, scored via aright-footed shot to the bottom-right corner of the net to make the score 5-1.
But in the 83rd minute, Chicago’s deficit once again widened. During a fast break, Wave midfielder Kenza Dali powered a right-footed shot past the Stars’ struggling goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, who was visibly frustrated after being unable to make the save.
With the win, Wave FC sweptsthe season series. The teams last played April 26 in Chicago,with San Diego coming away with a 3-0 win.
The Wave entered the match in sixth place in the NWSL table, but with Saturday’s result, notmoved up a spot to fifth place, but also officially clinched a playoff spot with a record of 10-7-8 and 37 points.
Chicago, however, remains at the bottom of the standings with two wins, 11draws, 12 losses and 17 points.
Although this was the last home game of the regular season, Wave FC actually has onemore match before the playoffs begin, and it’s a huge challenge. San Diego faces the best team in the NWSL, the Kansas City Current (20-2-3, 62 points), on Nov. 2 at CPKC Stadium.
“It’s one of the most difficult places that you can go to play soccer in the world,” Wave FChead coach Jonas Eidevall said of Kansas City’s home pitch. “We’re going to have a plan to attack that game.”
Notes: It was announced Wednesday that Wave FC is among six NWSL teams that havecommitted to participate in the 2026 Coachella Valley Invitational, a preseason exhibitiontournament taking place Feb. 15 and 21 at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. Thirteen MLS teamsare also scheduled to participate, including San Diego FC, with the men’s tournament takingplace Feb. 7-8, 11 and 14.
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