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San Diego Wave FC traveled to Massachusetts to face Boston Legacy FC for their fifth match of the NWSL season.
Head Coach Jonas Eidevall kept the same lineup that earned a win against Chicago Stars FC, including four players who were named to the NWSL Best XI for March 2026.
Boston entered the match still searching for their first point of the season. Discipline had already been an issue, with 62 fouls, 12 yellow cards, and two red cards across their first three matches. That trend would continue.
The First Half
The opening minutes followed a clear pattern. Boston looked to disrupt play physically, while the Wave stayed patient, absorbing pressure and waiting for mistakes to trigger quick transitions.
A giveaway from Lia Godfrey in the 13th minute led to a Boston corner, but the delivery lacked danger and resulted in a goal kick for Leah Freeman.
Moments later, Kimmi Ascanio sparked the Wave’s first real attacking sequence, driving through midfield before finding Ludmila. The Brazilian forward finished cleanly into the right side of the net, but the flag was up for offside.
San Diego’s defensive structure remained compact through the middle, limiting Boston’s ability to build through the center. With little attacking width, the Legacy resorted to long-range efforts. Attempts from distance, including from Aïssata Traoré, failed to test Freeman.
The Wave created chances of their own. Kenza Dali slipped a ball through to Dudinha, who delivered a cross into the box. Mimi van Zanten met it first time but got underneath the shot, sending it over the bar.
Boston’s physical approach continued. Aïssata Traoré drew a foul from Ascanio in a dangerous area, but the ensuing free kick was handled comfortably by Freeman.
Frustration grew on the Wave sideline as fouls accumulated without consistent discipline from the referee. Boston finished the half with nine fouls and a yellow card, continuing their pattern from earlier matches.
Despite moments of transition from both sides, neither team found a breakthrough. The half ended scoreless, with each side struggling to build sustained attacks against high pressure.
The Second Half
Eidevall made his first adjustment at halftime, bringing on Gabi Portilho for Laurina Fazer. The shift asked more of Ascanio and Godfrey centrally, while adding pace and movement to the front line alongside Dudinha and Ludmila.
The change had an immediate impact. The Wave spent the opening ten minutes of the half on the front foot, repeatedly pushing into the penalty area and forcing Boston’s defense into reactive situations.
Boston’s most dangerous moment came in the 56th minute. A long ball over the top found Aïssata Traoré in a one on one duel with Kennedy Wesley. The center back tracked the run perfectly, shielding both player and ball until Freeman could safely collect.
San Diego regained control and continued to apply pressure. Their persistence paid off.
Ludmila's first in an SD shirt! 🇧🇷🌊 pic.twitter.com/vp1ApJmQL5
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) April 4, 2026
Ascanio won the ball in transition and powered through midfield before spotting Ludmila’s run. The pass split the defense, and Ludmila took one touch before firing a strong finish into the back of the net.
Her first goal of the season gave the Wave a 1-0 lead.
Eidevall continued to rotate his squad. Jordan Fusco replaced Godfrey, and Melanie Barcenas came on for Dudinha, extending her run as a high-impact substitute.
The changes brought immediate energy. Portilho found Fusco centrally, who carried the ball forward as Barcenas made a run down the right. Fusco picked her out in the box, and Barcenas forced a save that led to a Wave corner.
From there, San Diego managed the match effectively. Their defensive shape held firm, limiting Boston to low-quality chances. The Legacy finished with eight total shots but failed to register a single shot on target.
Closing It Out
The Wave closed out the match with composure, securing a 1-0 victory on the road.
They edged Boston in key areas, including possession at 54 percent, passing accuracy at 86 percent, and corners at three to one. Defensively, the clean sheet highlighted a disciplined performance, backed by 29 clearances and strong dueling throughout the match.
Boston’s discipline issues persisted, committing 19 fouls and picking up two more yellow cards.
For San Diego, the result marks four consecutive wins, the longest winning streak in club history, surpassing the three-game stretch set in May 2022.
In a match defined by patience, structure, and timely execution, the Wave once again found a way to get the job done.
