Wave Fans Pack Balboa Park as Dali and Wesley Named Team Captains

At sunset in Balboa Park on Tuesday night, hundreds of fans gathered to celebrate the start of a new season for San Diego Wave FC.

A Night with the Wave Community

Just days before the club’s 2026 home opener, the Wave hosted a preseason rally that brought players and supporters together for photos, autographs, and a preview of what’s to come this year.

With the team lined up along the stage at the historic Spreckels Organ Pavilion, fans filled the plaza to hear from head coach Jonas Eidevall and the players ahead of Saturday’s season opener against the Houston Dash.

But the biggest moment of the night came when the club answered one of the lingering questions of the offseason.

Following the departure of longtime captain Kailen Sheridan, the Wave officially announced their new leadership group for 2026. Defender Kennedy Wesley and midfielder Kenza Dali will share captaincy duties this season.

The pairing reflects two different kinds of leadership within the squad.

Wesley’s Rapid Rise

Wesley, one of the Wave’s rising young defenders, has quickly become a key piece of the team’s back line. After being selected in the first round of the 2024 NWSL Draft, she broke into the starting lineup during her rookie season and earned NWSL Rookie of the Month honors in September. The Stanford alum has continued to grow into a steady defensive presence while also contributing on set pieces, scoring multiple header goals off corner kicks.

Her rapid rise has also carried onto the international stage. Wesley earned her first senior call-up to the United States Women's National Team in October 2025 and recently added a SheBelieves Cup title to her résumé with the national team.

Now entering her third professional season, Wesley will take on an even bigger role as one of the Wave’s captains.

A Veteran Voice in Dali

Dali brings a different type of experience to the leadership group.

The French international arrived in San Diego in 2025 after a long career in Europe that included stints with clubs like Paris Saint-Germain Féminine and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, where she helped win the UEFA Women’s Champions League. She also spent several seasons in England’s Women’s Super League before joining the Wave.

In her first NWSL season, Dali quickly became the heartbeat of San Diego’s midfield. She started every match, led the team in minutes played, and finished tied for the team lead in goals while earning multiple Best XI of the Month honors and a nomination for NWSL Midfielder of the Year.

Earlier this month, the club reaffirmed her importance to the roster by signing the midfielder to a contract extension through the 2027 season.

Together, Wesley and Dali represent two pillars of the Wave’s roster: a rising young defender growing into a leadership role and a veteran midfielder whose experience spans some of the biggest stages in women’s soccer.

As the rally wrapped up and fans filtered out of Balboa Park, the message for the 2026 season was clear. A new year is beginning for the Wave, and a new pair of captains will help lead the way.