Match Recap: San Diego Wave Break Through Chicago 2-0

San Diego Wave FC hosted Chicago Stars FC tonight for their third game of the week. Their newest signing, Catarina Macario, made her first appearance in front of the fans during half time. Though the signing was announced just yesterday, many Wave fans donned the striker's new #20 jersey.

Macario's welcoming ceremony wasn't the only highlight of the night. The Wave earned their third win in three games, with Lia Godfrey taking the lead for most goals contributed for the team this season.

Tonight, head coach Jonas Eidevall made only one change to the starting lineup, slotting in Laurina Fazer for Gia Corley who is nursing an injury. Tonight's mission was to break through Chicago Star's "park the bus" strategy, a challenge that didn't go so well against Houston Dash during the home opener.

The First Half

The Wave opened the first half with the majority of the possession. Following Eidevall's high press, high possession philosophy, the team built up their attack from the back line. The Wave wove through Chicago Stars' midfield, slowly putting distance and creating wider lanes to move forward.

Early pressure from the home team forced the visitors on their heels. Chicago became reactive in their defense, making more mistakes for the Wave to exploit. The Chicago Stars gave up nine fouls and four corners to the Wave, compared to the Wave's six fouls, and zero corners conceded.

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The first half closed uneventfully, but the numbers show the Wave's control over the game. The Wave had twelve shots, four of them forcing a save. Leah Freeman didn't have to make any saves. In fact, Chicago failed to shoot once this half.

The Second Half

Catarina Macario joined the San Diego Sirens in their opening chant of the Second half. Her homecoming ceremony was brief, but it's the first opportunity for fans to see her on the field at a Wave game. Macario's contract with her hometown team is reportedly the largest in women's soccer history.

For now, we won't see Cat playing with the Wave as she heals from injury. But when the 26-year-old striker is healthy, the Wave attack will be even more dangerous than it is now.

On the pitch, the game felt similar to the first half. Chicago Stars absorbed the offensive pressure from the Wave, and made little attempt to counterattack. After the Wave's frustrating home opener against the Houston Dash, Eidevall needed to find the key to breaking the low block.

That key showed up in the 56th minute in the shape of Lia Godfrey. Godfrey received the ball from Dudinha, then carried it through the Stars' ten player back line and shot across goal into the right corner of the goal. Though she is still in her rookie season, Godfrey is now the leading goal scorer for San Diego Wave FC.

Just a few minutes after the goal, Godfrey was substituted off for Gabi Portilho. Melanie Barcenas replaced Ludmila. Eidevall tends to make attacking substitutions when the Wave only have a slight lead, with the belief that the best defense is extending the lead further.

Goalkeeper Leah Freeman still waited to show off her shot stopping ability, but no shots came. The Wave had most of the possession at this point, and the attack was doing most of the work.

Eidevall also replaced right back Mimi Van Zanten with Kiki Pickett. Van Zanten, who was substituted off early in the home opener, put in a lot of work on the right side of the pitch. Her runs to Lia Godfrey and Ludmila gave the Wave many offensive opportunities, and she closed down the Stars' possession before it became an attack.

Eidevall's plan worked just ten minutes after injecting energy into the attack. Melanie Barcenas juked her way through Chicago defenders, then shot a rocket into the top of the net. The Wave led 2-0 with fifteen minutes of regular time left, and Dudinha earned her second assist of the night.

Finally in extra time, Leah Freeman made a save. This was Chicago's first on target shot, and their second shot attempt for the entire game. Freeman, one of three goalkeepers on the roster, impressed fans with her performances against Utah Royals and Portland Thorns, but tonight Chicago couldn't form an attack that would test the keeper.

The match ended 2-0, with Leah Freeman earning her first clean sheet with the Wave. Lia Godfrey and Melanie Barcenas helped Eidevall crack the code to beat the low block.