Angel City Stuns San Diego Wave in SoCal Rivalry Clash

San Diego Wave FC return to Snapdragon Stadium to take on SoCal rivals, Angel City FC for the second time this season. The Wave outscored Angel City 2-1 in their May matchup at BMO stadium.

Tonight, head coach Jonas Eidevall opted to use the same lineup as last week's matchup against Gotham FC. Luisa Agudelo earned her second start between the goalposts, and Melanie Barcenas, Ludmila, and Gabi Portilho served as tonight's starting attack.

Angel City had a tough start to the season, and parted ways with their head coach Alex Strauss. Their first game with interim coach Leif Gunnar Smerud was a convincing win, and the visitors hoped to extend that momentum.

The First Half

Goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo faced her first test of the game early on, and passed, after lifting a dangerous cross from an Angel City corner over the goal and out of the danger zone.

Just a couple minutes later, the referee awarded a free kick to the visitors. The shot was wide, but if it were on target, Agudelo's dive would be in the way.

After soaking up multiple shots, Agudelo launched a long ball to Ludmila, who ran behind the Angel City defense. Ludmila's shot was just wide.

The Wave struggled with central attacks, so Van Zanten unleashed herself down the right side. She passed the ball to Kenza Dali whose curling shot whizzed just past goal.

Ludmila earned a dangerous free kick outside of the box on the left side. Dali crossed the ball into the box. Center back Kristen McNabb headered the ball across the box, and captain Kennedy Wesley acrobatically attempted to put the ball in the net, but was beat by the keeper.

Angel City earned their first goal after a cross into the box was just out of Agudelo's reach. Maiara Niehues headered the ball in, but not before meeting Wave left back Perle Morroni's boot. Fortunately the contact looked worse than it was, and Niehues continued on with the match.

The Wave regained possession. Van Zanten crossed the ball into Corley, who's shot was blocked. Gabi Portilho recycled the effort, but ran into the same issue.

Angel City regained possession, and Sveindís Jónsdóttir earned a throw in on the right side of the box. The ball bounced around in front of goal until Ary Borges doubled Angel City's lead.

The Wave struggled in the first half to bring a convincing attack past the visitor's defense, particularly through the center. Passing lanes closed to quickly, the midfield pressure overwhelmed them, and the width seemed like the only option.

While Van Zanten did plenty of the leg work on the right side, overlapping runs from Portilho and Corley stretched Angel City's back line. Ludmila and Melanie Barcenas tried to make the most of the space, but had yet to find the back of the net.

The Wave hurried back to the locker room to regroup before the second half with a two goal deficit.

The Second Half

Eidevall made changes to his lineup at the half, bringing Lia Godfrey and Trinity Byars on for Melanie Barcenas and Ludmila. Godfrey and Byars, with four goals a piece, are tied for second most goals scored for the Wave this season, just behind Dudinha.

The impact began to show immediately, with Godfrey launching a shot in the opening minutes of the half. The shot was blocked, but the renewed energy in the attacking third broke through Angel City more convincingly than the first half.

Right back Mimi Van Zanten showed off her speed, covering the right side defensively and quickly turning around to launch attacks with Godfrey.

Eidevall made two more substitutions. Kenza Dali and Gabi Portilho came off the pitch for Tatum Wynalda and Laurina Fazer. Wynalda's speed earned an interception that lead to a goal last game, and her versatility gave the Wave plenty of options tonight.

McNabb spotted Van Zanten running into the box on the right. She crossed the ball to the right back, who forced a save with a close range shot.

Shortly after, Corley set up a central opportunity for Byars, who couldn't beat the keeper. Ascanio followed up with a long shot. Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson had to leap to tap the shot over the bar.

Eidevall used his final substitution to bring on Trinity Armstrong for Van Zanten. The defender returned from injury last game, and came into this one ready to make an impact. Ascanio tipped a pass to Armstrong in the box, but she couldn't get a good shot off.

The Wave continued to turn up the heat. A goal felt imminent. "Lets Go Wave" chants boomed around the stadium. Whether it was a long shot from Perle Morroni, or a cross waiting for a tap in, the San Diego launched wave after wave of attack.

Godfrey passed the ball to Ascanio who ran into the box, swerving through the defensive line. A hard foul from Angel City immediately earned a whistle from the referee, and the Wave earned a penalty.

Rookie Lia Godfrey stepped up to take the opportunity. A scuffle between Kennedy Wesley and the visitors delayed the penalty, and Lia stood at the spot, waiting. Finally, the whistle blew, and Godfrey shot into the bottom left side of the goal. She was just millimeters off, and hit the inside of the post.

The Wave pressed on. Attack after attack followed the same pattern: close, but not close enough. Trinity Byars and Trinity Armstrong deflected shots toward goal. Fazer and Morroni hit long range attempts from distance. Ascanio and Godfrey carried the ball into the box.

It just wasn't enough from the Wave tonight. The Wave fell 2-0 to Angel City FC.