Wave vs Royals Preview: Can San Diego Find the Final Touch?

The San Diego Wave FC hit the road this Sunday, traveling to face Utah Royals FC with kickoff set for 4:00 p.m. PT.

After a frustrating home opener, the Wave will be looking to turn control into end product. Against the Houston Dash, San Diego dominated possession (70%) and earned 14 corners, but struggled to generate the kind of clear, dangerous chances needed to find the back of the net.

Sunday presents another opportunity for head coach Jonas Eidevall to start putting the pieces together. With six players making their club debuts last weekend, including three pro debuts, the Wave remain a team in progress, and lineup adjustments are likely to continue as Eidevall searches for the right balance.

Match Information

Teams: San Diego Wave FC vs Utah Royals FC
Referees: Shawn Tehini (Ref), Melissa Beck (AR1), Kristin Patterson (AR2), Christopher Calderon (4th), Abdou Ndiaye (VAR), Kaili Terry (AVAR)
Odds: SD (Even), Draw (+240), UT(+220)
Date: March 22nd, 2026
Time: 4:00pm, America First Field, Sandy, UT
TV: Victory+
Forecast: 65º/46º. 65º at kickoff. Cloudy. 8 mph winds. 10% chance of rain. 36% humidity.

Utah Royals FC

The Numbers

Utah Royals FC Overview

The Utah Royals opened their 2026 campaign with a 2–1 loss to the Kansas City Current, but the result doesn’t fully capture how competitive the performance was. Utah struck first in the 35th minute through defender Tatumn Milazzo, who headed home a set piece to give the Royals a halftime lead in a difficult road environment.

However, the second half told a different story. Kansas City found another gear, equalizing through Croix Bethune before Ally Sentnor delivered the winner. For Utah, it was a familiar frustration: strong stretches undone by lapses after the break. Still, there were positives: a well-executed press at times, dangerous moments in transition, and several impactful debuts that suggest this is a team still finding its rhythm.

Player to Watch

If there’s one player the Wave cannot lose track of, it’s Tatumn Milazzo. After missing the entire 2025 season with injury, Milazzo made an immediate impact in her Royals debut, scoring Utah’s first goal of the season and reminding everyone of her value on both sides of the ball.

What makes Milazzo especially dangerous is her presence on set pieces. A significant percentage of her career goals have come from corners, where her timing and aerial ability make her a constant threat. For San Diego, that means discipline defensively, limiting unnecessary fouls and staying organized on dead balls, will be critical. In a match where margins could be tight, Milazzo’s ability to capitalize on one moment could swing the result.

Where the Wave Can Find an Edge

Despite the encouraging signs in their opener, Utah still showed vulnerabilities the Wave can exploit. The Royals want to play out of the back and press aggressively, but that approach can leave them exposed when execution breaks down. Kansas City found success by applying pressure in the second half, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on defensive disorganization, something San Diego will look to replicate.

There are also lingering questions about consistency. Utah’s identity under Jimmy Coenraets emphasizes versatility and intensity, but that flexibility can sometimes lead to uneven performances and gaps between lines. If the Wave can move the ball quickly, attack in transition, and stretch the Royals’ defensive shape, opportunities should emerge, especially as the game progresses and spaces begin to open.

San Diego Wave FC

The Numbers

San Diego Wave FC Overview

The San Diego Wave FC opened their season with a frustrating 1–0 loss to the Houston Dash, in a match that was defined more by control than the final scoreline. San Diego dominated possession, finishing with over 70 percent of the ball, while generating 19 shots and 14 corner kicks. For long stretches, the Wave dictated the tempo and built confidently through the midfield and wide areas.

Despite that control, the breakthrough never came. A late first-half goal from former Wave player Makenzy Robbe proved to be the difference, while goalkeeper Jane Campbell delivered a standout performance to deny multiple San Diego chances. The Wave showed clear attacking promise, especially through their new front line, but the lack of end product ultimately left them empty-handed.

Player to Watch

All eyes will be on Ludmila as she looks to build on an active debut performance. The Brazilian forward was one of the most dangerous players on the field against Houston, finishing with six shots and consistently testing the back line with her pace and movement.

While she did not find the net, the underlying performance suggested a breakthrough is coming. Ludmila created chances for herself off the dribble, pressed relentlessly out of possession, and forced difficult saves from Campbell. As she continues to build chemistry with players like Dudinha and Gabi Portilho, she has the tools to become the focal point of this attack. Against Utah, her ability to turn half chances into real scoring opportunities could be the difference.

What Needs to Change

For all the positives in their opener, the key issue for San Diego is simple. They need to be more clinical in front of goal. The Wave had no problem progressing the ball into dangerous areas, but decision-making and execution in the final third often let them down. Shots came from difficult angles, crosses lacked a final touch, and promising sequences ended without testing the goalkeeper enough.

This matchup against Utah Royals FC offers a chance to correct that. Utah showed vulnerability when pressed and struggled to maintain defensive structure over a full ninety minutes in their opener. If the Wave can maintain their attacking pressure while improving their composure in the box, the chances will come again. Turning even one or two of those moments into goals could be enough to secure their first result of the season.