VAR Denies Chicago as San Diego Wave Earn Crucial Road Victory

San Diego Wave FC traveled to Illinois to face the Chicago Stars for the second time this season. The Wave successfully closed down Chicago in their last meet up, with only two shots from the Stars in 90 minutes.

This time, Chicago had Mallory Swanson in their starting XI, who returned from maternity leave earlier this month. The USWNT star is one of the few players to earn 25 goals and 25 assists for the US before turning 25. The Stars hoped her attacking profile would allow them to be more threatening in front of goal this time against the Wave

Head Coach Jonas Eidevall made two changes to the starting lineup tonight. Perle Morroni returned to her left back position after being suspended last game. Eidevall opted to start Melanie Barcenas on the right instead of Gia Corley.

The First Half

San Diego Wave wasted no time taking control of the match. Just three minutes in, Lia Godfrey switched play wide to Dudinha, who drove forward and fired a shot across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the Wave an early 1-0 lead.

Chicago struggled to establish possession throughout the opening half and was largely limited to transition opportunities and counterattacks when chances appeared.

The Wave showcased the variety of their attack. Perle Morroni and Dudinha combined effectively down the left flank with overlapping runs, while Mimi Van Zanten used her strength and pace on the right to create service for Melanie Barcenas. Through the middle, Kenza Dali, Godfrey, and Ludmila constantly found pockets of space and stretched Chicago's defensive shape.

The dominance extended beyond the attack. Defensively, San Diego was relentless. The Wave disrupted passing lanes, closed down runners, and pressed Chicago into difficult decisions all over the field. The Stars often relied on individual moments from Julia Grosso and Mallory Swanson to carry the ball into dangerous areas.

At the back, Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb organized the defense with confidence and composure. Chicago rarely found clear looks at goal, and Didi Haracic comfortably handled the few attempts that reached her.

With numbers committed forward and pressure coming from every area of the field, the Wave looked dangerous every time they entered the attacking third.

When the halftime whistle arrived, San Diego held a deserved lead thanks to Dudinha's early breakthrough.

The Second Half

The Wave carried their first-half momentum straight into the second period.

Within the opening five minutes, San Diego forced multiple mistakes from Chicago's defense and generated four shots around the penalty area, keeping the Stars pinned back and under constant pressure.

Dudinha continued to torment Chicago down the left side. One dangerous cross found Kimmi Ascanio inside the box, and her close-range effort missed the target by the narrowest of margins.

Looking to maintain control, Head Coach Jonas Eidevall turned to his bench with 30 minutes remaining. Laurina Fazer and Gia Corley replaced Kenza Dali and Lia Godfrey in midfield, while Gabi Portilho and Trinity Byars entered for Melanie Barcenas and Ludmila.

The changes paid dividends almost immediately. Portilho brought energy down the right flank and delivered dangerous service into the box for Byars and Corley, while Fazer added stability in midfield and repeatedly broke up Chicago counterattacks before they could develop.

Chicago responded with a wave of substitutions of its own with 10 minutes remaining, and the Stars finally began finding ways through midfield. For the first time all night, San Diego's defense faced sustained pressure.

Wesley, McNabb, and Fazer stood firm, forcing Chicago into low-percentage attempts from distance and protecting Haracic's goal.

As Chicago committed more players forward in search of an equalizer, additional space began to open for the Wave attack.

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Dudinha capitalized by stealing possession deep in Chicago territory and driving forward. Her cross found Fazer, who was quickly brought down to earn a dangerous free kick. The ensuing delivery nearly reached Ascanio inside the box, but Chicago escaped the threat.

Van Zanten then produced one of San Diego's most dangerous attacking runs of the night, bursting into the right side of the penalty area before a frightening head-to-head collision with Leilanni Nesbeth halted the play. After receiving treatment, Van Zanten was able to walk off under her own power, with Tatum Wynalda entering in her place.

The fourth official signaled 12 minutes of stoppage time, setting up a dramatic finish.

The Wave continued hunting for an insurance goal. Dudinha drove into the box once again, and Fazer was fouled while attempting to recycle the loose ball, earning another dangerous set piece. Moments later, Corley forced a strong save with a powerful effort from outside the area.

Chicago threw everything forward in the closing minutes.

The Stars thought they had found their equalizer when Jordan Huitema lifted the ball over Haracic and into the net. Celebration quickly turned to frustration, however, as VAR determined Huitema had been offside by inches.

The warning did little to slow Chicago's push. Jameese Joseph carried the ball forward on a dangerous solo run, but Wesley stepped in with a courageous block to deny the shot.

Moments later, the Wave delivered the knockout blow.

Dudinha intercepted another pass from Chicago's back line and immediately played Corley into space. Corley slipped a pass through to Byars, who needed only one touch to finish calmly and double San Diego's lead. The goal was Byars' third as a professional and capped off another impactful appearance off the bench.

The final whistle confirmed a hard-earned road victory for San Diego Wave. Behind a dominant performance from Dudinha, a disciplined defensive effort, and a late insurance goal from Byars, the Wave secured all three points and headed into the international break sitting atop the NWSL standings.