Back on Track: Wave Snap Losing Streak, Beat Angel City FC 2-1

San Diego Wave FC traveled to Los Angeles to face Angel City FC. Both teams were unable to score in their last games, and were looking to awaken their attacks against their SoCal rivals.

Tonight's head coach for the Wave, Becki Tweed, rested Lia Godfrey and Laurina Fazer, opting to put Kimmi Ascanio and Gia Corley in the starting XI instead. Tweed served as head coach for Angel City FC from 2023 to 2024, and her insights into the team could prove valuable for the Wave.

The First Half

The game opened, and Angel City tested the Wave's defense immediately.

The back line remained organized. Right back Mimi Van Zanten threaded passes up the right side, while Kennedy Wesley, Kristen McNabb, and Perle Morroni covered the back line. When the Wave moved up the left, Morroni muscled her way through the Angel City midfield before releasing the ball to Dudinha.

Svendis Jonsdottir earned an early chance for the home team. She ran in behind the defense on the right side, and crossed the ball to Kennedy Fuller, who sent the ball soaring over the bar into the Angel City supporter section.

After ten minutes of absorbing the pressure from the home team, the Wave broke out of their half. Gia Corley burst down the midfield, weaving her way through Angel City. She timed a great ball to Dudinha, whose shot was blocked by the defense.

Not long after Ludmila shot the ball towards goal, but into goalkeeper Angelina Anderson's hands.

The teams traded possession, making their attacking danger known. Dudinha, for the Wave, and Jonsdottir, for Angel City, posed an extra danger for each team. Both player's speedy runs were able to beat the defense, and Didi Haracic and Anderson were tested in front of the net.

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Half an hour into the game, Gabi Portilho earned a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. The Sirens' drums drowned out the jeers from the Angel City FC fans. Dali and Corley lined up to take the kick. Dali crossed the ball into the box, but Anderson plucked it out of the air before the Wave could redirect it into the net.

On a counterattack, Suarez broke through the defense and faced Didi Haracic by herself. Haracic spread her arms and made herself as big as possible. Her last ditch attempt to stop the goal worked, and Angel City earned a corner instead of the lead.

The half closed out with no goals from either side. The teams, true to their historical performances, were nearly level in their statistics. Each team had about 50% of the possession, each had one shot on target, and each had a save.

The Wave, led by Becki Tweed, hurried to the locker room to find a way to break the deadlock.

The Second Half

The Wave took the field ready for the second half. Lia Godfrey replaced Gia Corley, who gave it her all in the press in the first half. Ludmila made way for Trinity Byars, who recently recovered from injury.

The Wave wasted no time bringing their second half plan to fruition. Dudinha carried the ball up the left side of the field, through Angel City's defenders, and into the net. The Sirens cheer tore through BMO Stadium, the home fans silenced.

Just a few minutes later, Angel City responded. A short range shot from Emily Sams beat Haracic at the near post.

With the game level again, the Wave needed to find a way to push through Angel City's defense again. At the 62nd minute, super sub Melanie Barcenas came on for Gabi Portilho.

The teams traded possession once again. Neither team put together any particularly threatening attacks.

Tweed brought on Fazer in place of Ascanio. Fazer's defensive skillset allowed Lia Godfrey the freedom to control the ball throughout the front of the midfield.

The plan worked quickly. Fazer passed the ball forward to Godfrey, who gave it to Dudinha on the left side. Dudinha crossed the ball to Mimi Van Zanten, who scored her first professional goal and first goal for the Wave.

Now in the lead, the Wave needed to absorb the offensive pressure from Angel City. McNabb and Wesley kept the defense organized under pressure. The home teams desperation led to multiple fouls that gave the Wave the offensive advantage.

The Wave earned the win away from home, snapping their two game losing streak. Dudinha and Van Zanten's goals lifted San Diego Wave ahead of Angel City, earning three important points on the road.

The Wave end the night just one point behind the current NWSL standings leaders. They return home this Friday to face Washington Spirit at Snapdragon Stadium.