San Diego Wave Complete Stunning Comeback Against Denver Summit

San Diego Wave FC traveled to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to face Denver Summit FC on Saturday night, with kickoff set for 5:45 p.m. PDT. The match marked San Diego’s return from the international break and their first meeting with the expansion side in regular season play.

One of the key pregame storylines centered on the Wave goalkeeping decision. Leah Freeman earned her fifth consecutive start after helping guide San Diego through a strong recent stretch. The Wave had won each of her previous four starts, including clean sheets in the last two matches, giving head coach Jonas Eidevall reason to keep faith in the in-form goalkeeper.

San Diego also entered the night chasing more history. Winners of four straight coming into kickoff, the Wave were looking to extend the longest winning streak in club history to five matches. The challenge was significant, as Denver Summit arrived with momentum of their own after recording three consecutive shutouts and quickly establishing themselves as one of the league’s toughest expansion teams.

The First Half

The opening stages were competitive, with both sides trading possession and trying to establish control. San Diego’s back line initially looked confident and organized, circulating the ball calmly while resisting Denver’s early pressure.

Denver opened the scoring in the 15th minute through a sharp transition move. Yazmeen Ryan found space behind the Wave defense and drove toward the end line before cutting a pass across the face of goal. The delivery slipped between Mimi van Zanten and Kennedy Wesley, where Melissa Kössler arrived to finish into the far post for a 1-0 lead.

The Summit looked to repeat the formula moments later, again releasing Ryan down the left flank. This time, the Wave recovered well, crowding the box and closing passing lanes before Denver could create another clear chance.

San Diego absorbed pressure and looked dangerous whenever they broke forward. Dudinha and Ludmila were the primary outlets in transition, using their pace to push the Wave upfield and relieve sustained pressure.

Denver doubled the advantage in chaotic fashion midway through the half. An initial effort was heroically blocked on the goal line by Kristen McNabb, but the danger was not cleared. Natasha Flint reacted first to the loose ball and quickly fired her finish past the Wave defense and into the net.

At 2-0, Denver continued to surge forward with confidence. San Diego became increasingly unsettled as the Summit pressed for a third, forcing multiple defensive interventions. Strong recovery defending from Kennedy Wesley and more timely blocks from McNabb kept the deficit from growing further before halftime.

With plenty to solve and the match slipping away, head coach Jonas Eidevall led his squad quickly to the locker room in search of a response.

Become a Subscriber

Get the best coverage of San Diego FC and San Diego Wave straight into your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE

The Second Half

San Diego needed an immediate response, and Lia Godfrey delivered just three minutes after the restart. After combining with Kimmi Ascanio, Godfrey continued her run through the heart of the Denver defense, collected the return pass, and finished to pull the Wave back within one. The goal shifted the energy of the match and reignited San Diego’s comeback hopes.

It was Godfrey’s fourth goal of her rookie NWSL season, another major moment in what has already become a breakout campaign.

Rejuvenated by the early strike, the Wave continued to press. Their pressure paid off soon after when a free kick sequence turned into a corner. From the set piece, Kennedy Wesley rose above the crowd and powered home a header for the equalizer. Fresh off her recent U.S. Women’s National Team success, Wesley delivered again in a critical moment.

With the match level, head coach Jonas Eidevall turned to his bench for more attacking intent. Melanie Barcenas entered in place of defensive midfielder Laurina Fazer, a clear signal that San Diego wanted all three points. Barcenas had already built a reputation for late-game heroics this season and immediately brought energy to the front line.

The Wave kept coming. Godfrey switched play wide to Dudinha, who burst into space behind the Summit back line before driving a dangerous cross through the box. Under pressure, Denver left back Carson Pickett turned the ball into her own net, completing San Diego’s comeback and giving the visitors a 3-2 lead.

After trailing by two goals at halftime, the Wave had stormed in front through relentless second-half pressure.

Eidevall continued to refresh the attack, introducing Gabi Portilho for Ludmila and Kiki Pickett for Mimi van Zanten on the right side. The changes helped San Diego maintain energy as the match opened into a back-and-forth contest with both teams trading possession and chances.

The Wave later made their final attacking changes, with Jordan Fusco and Trinity Byars replacing Godfrey and Dudinha. For Byars, it marked another important step after injury setbacks earlier in the season.

Denver threw everything forward in the final moments, nearly stealing a point with a powerful late effort destined for goal. Leah Freeman came up with one last decisive save, tipping the shot over the bar to preserve the lead.

When the final whistle arrived, San Diego had completed one of their most dramatic wins of the season. The Wave claimed three more road points and extended their historic winning streak to five matches.