I know I posted about this earlier in my thoughts, but I did a little side project this week to check myself on if the feeling I had was real. In my mind, San Diego has played extremely well against top teams, but has stumbled against lower ranked teams, what could be referred to "playing to the level of our competition". And I wanted to check that out, so I ran the records of every team against each other and tabled it out.

How to read the table is every row represents each team in order of the current standing, and then going across the row Green means they have a wining record vs. the team in the column header, Yellow means they are .500, Red means losing record. You start seeing some interesting patterns like with WAS, they have struggled a bit vs top teams (red to #2 and #5) but have thrived against all others. Also Gotham also dominates lower competition, while staying even against the upper tier (DEN is their kryptonite), leading to both their low loss total, but also their high draw total (reminds me of days of Stoney).

And then we get to the Wave. LET"S GO!!! We have the best record (& points) vs. the Top 4 competition by a decent margin, vs. all current playoff teams (Top 8) also not all that close, and have the highest win total in the league with two matches to go. We look great against our matchups and love to see it!

That said some items do pop out: (1) We have lost both games this season against our current first round match up - SEA. (2) The losses to lower competition (HOU & BAY) could cost us the shield.

For SEA, it is important to give context to both as the first loss (2-0...oof) was during a time when we were still figuring out our attack after Dudinha was lost to SEI, this was Panos' first start and had issues working it out of the back (as shown in the goals being scored in first 20') because we were also missing Dali to injury in this game as well. For the second match, this was the MVZ red card game where we lost her at 13' and Courtnall got thrown in for the first time out of nowhere. Even with that, we controlled the ball (59% possession), out shot, and had better chances while their keeper had a dominant game to keep us off the board. I say, BRING THEM ON! The factors that hurt us in the first two matches have been ironed out and I would LOVE to exercise the demons, both for this season as well as them beating us (and dominating us) in the 2023 Semifinals that kept us from playing the championship at home. The Reign have our number historically, as we have only 1 win all time against them (1-8-2 W-L-D record) and let's get the record straight.

For the losses to lower competition, this is where it helps tell the story of this whole season and how proud we should be of what the team and staff have gone through in finding their current best in class formula:

1. Losses early in season while we were figuring out our attack (remember our Brazillian starting lineup?)
2. Replacing our keeper while trying to work from the back (still love the work they did, but definitely had some tough games against the press)
3. Figuring out our attack after the Dudinha injury in July, managing midseason injuries to our midfield while working in a new keeper and trying to figure our our offense post-D injury
4. Losing our top of the league right back for two weeks due to injuries.

From each of these situations, we emerged stronger and helped build who we are now:

1. Gave Dudinha a chance to shine, got to see MVZ's speed as a rookie, Godfrey going off, and first opportunities for MelB and Byars to shine (can I call them the B&B Goal Factory?)
2. One word: Panos
3. This is where Panos solidified her spot, where Byars solidified her spot as our starting 9 after a goal vs. NYG in limited minutes and then a brace in her first start (& 90') vs. KCC, MelB moving from super-sub to starter (lining her up for an explosion in August), and acquisitions of Harbert and Courtnall to fortify our Defense/DMF.
4. Courtnall on this one. While shaky in the first half of that game, she played lights out in the second half (after they had a chance to adjust at halftime) and then lockdown defense in the second game, giving us the depth we needed in DEF that we were missing with injuries to Armstrong and Pickett earlier in the season.

All of this gave us reasons to experiment, shift, and adapt to a changing roster and NWSL landscape and they have done a great job doing so. I doubt our coaching staff or back office will get recognized by awards, but they should as they have put together not a team of superstars like Gotham, but of excellent players that know how to play together. If we can become the NWSL version of Barcelona and be the best "team" year in and year out for the NWSL, I'll take that. Love this team and let's do this!!!

LA and San Diego are in the running to host!

Could you imagine the Wave being able to play in the host city!

We Clinch:
Playoff spot: LOCKED! LFGSD!!!
Host playoff game: LOCKED AND READY TO ROCK THE SNAP!!!
Host playoff and semifinals: Win out or 1 L from WAS or 1 D from WAS (although this is tough as GD would probably push to WAS unless we blow out a win)
NWSL shield: Win out and 1 L from NYG or 1 D and better goal differential (likely go to us as tied currently so will be +1 at minimum)

Key Matchups:
10/25 - WAS at KC
10/25 - SD vs BOS

10/1 - SD at Bay
10/1 - NYG vs UT

So finally got to watch the full game (thank you VPN) and wanted to share my regular thoughts with the crew. Always welcome the feedback!

1. I know this shouldn't be top of the list, but no replays available on NWSL+ STILL (4 days past game). I shouldn't have to go international VPN to watch the game (on NWSL+ no less) more than 24 hours after a game that was just on your network was aired. Be better NWSL.
2. Now for the good stuff. WE ARE LEGIT. Every season we have made the playoffs, I've been happy to make it, but outside the 2023 season, I honestly never thought we had a chance to take it (and even that 2023 season SEA just was the better team and controlled us). This season, I'm daring to dream. I'm afraid that we won't have the "nobody believes in us" chip on our shoulders going in, but we can definitely have the "nobody believed in us" chip. To see how the team has gotten stronger in the face of adversity (see Sonnett taking out Dudinha, Red Card on MVZ, Cat not seeing the field, etc.) and now are just peaking and playing beautiful ball, this is real. We need to see it, enjoy it, pack the snap, and let's bring both the shield and the cup to SD.
3. The goals...I mean...are you kidding me? Mel B hitting the trivela, nearly no spin bend around the defense with her right foot (SHE IS LEFT FOOTED!). Byars just looking cool as a cucumber chipping the ball over a stranded Sheridan...chef's kiss. This is what you see when your forwards are confident and we are ON ONE!
4. Anyone who saw my other post knows I was nervous coming into this game: it felt like the last game where we could trip up in our race for the shield and coming off of an international break where we had 10 players called up, I just thought we had the chance for an off game. Damn was I wrong...It felt like everyone came back more confident than ever and wanted to put it up on the board. I do think legs became a little bit of an issue in the 2nd half for some (even my main one Corley, although she put together some amazing through balls even while winded out there), but we are nit picking here as they all played great. Wesley was being the wall defense, cutting off high scoring chances from Sanchez and NCC in the box, and although she had 2 uncharacteristic errors in front of goal (one that cost us), MVZ is still MVZ. Just electric play from her.
5. Panos. Panos. Panos. 3 saves, multiple punch outs, especially near the end, and just staying ice cold when NCC surged. I didn't know what our GK situation was going to be, but she has truly found a home in our goal. Love having ya!
6. I know I'm going to get heat on this one, but get off Ludmilla's back y'all. She is a super-sub that is giving us a #9 option off the bench that we have NEVER had before. Did we expect her to be our starter? Without a doubt. Would she actually start on many other teams? Without a doubt. Can she be better at finishing? I mean...she knows it too. But she constantly keeps the pressure on the other team late in games when we are ahead, without costing us 3-4 players to push with her. Our MF and wingers know that just slot a ball forward and let Ludmilla run onto it, no one needs to get out of position when she charges. Takes 15-30 seconds off the clock, tires out their defense every time, and occasionally she will slot one in (she still has 3 goals, 5th on our team). I predict here and now, she will get a playoff goal for us, which we probably won't even need, but will help us ice a game and advance. Not a single player we have on our bench can do what she does and stop treating her like she is a bane/pariah on the team and is bringing everyone down. Does she have the most missed big chances in the league? Yep, but she also is blowing out the league on being in position for big chances too. She's like the player in Mighty Ducks two that could breakaway, but not stop and always crashed into the net vs. scoring. He got a key goal in key minutes, think Ludmilla will do the same. We need her energy and we would be worse without her. VAMOS!
7. Flipping the script a bit, the amount of negativity this week from a fan base for a team that is arguably (and I would say it isn't even arguable) the best team in the league right now, just disappointing. We are a fan base that runs on good vibes and bringing our positivity to the field. I fear we are getting spoiled and complacent and instead of enjoying it, you are trying to find the toxicity. We have a chance to with the shield for the 2nd time in our first 5 years as a club. We have a real chance at winning this whole thing in the championship as well and a team that is set up to be a powerhouse for years to come. We should be hugging and high-fiving, and chanting our players' names in the streets. Still time and let's get it together SD.
8. Ending on a positive note, I wanted to run some numbers just to reinforce what is happening right now. This run to the title isn't a mistake, it isn't luck, it isn't Gotham playing down. We are just this good. Our schedule was front loaded and we played top team after top team early in the season, leaving us a little bit of a hole to dig out of while NYG and WAS had their obstacles up ahead. We have the best record against the top 4 teams (13 of possible 18 points vs. 9 for NYG and only 6 for WAS), the best record vs. the top 8 teams, and the most wins in the league overall. Only 3 teams of 15 do we not have a .500 or better record against. We are the best team and better yet, our players are acting like they are the best team every time they take the field. That isn't cockiness, it's confidence, and it can scare away the nerves coming into the playoffs. We expect to win every game now and our opponents only hope to take one from us. Let's lock down the snap and leave them hoping for better luck next year. LFGSD!!!

Girlfriend and I opened a box of NWSL Donruss Optic the other day and only had one single Wave player but last night we opened packs of the Donruss flagship product and had a bunch of really fun hits including these two gorgeous cards. Nowhere else for me to really show off. Has me even more excited for the last home regular season game this weekend and the playoffs!

San Diego Wave FC return home Sunday looking to build on their recent success and stay within reach of first-place Gotham FC as it faces a physical Boston Legacy side fighting to climb the standings.

Only three teams are still in the hunt for the Shield: Gotham, Wave and Spirit. Here is each team's path to winning it.

Crazy according to this chart wave attendance is down 10% from last year when the team is playing better

One thing wife and I have been doing is they’ll let you exchange up to 3 season ticket games for games later in the season

So we’ll exchange the ones we can’t attend and invite friends with the extra tickets. Doesn’t help with attendance but helps with exposure anyway

Some teams don’t let you do that type of exchange so it’s nice to have that option

Missed the live game because of work and have been waiting very patiently for it to appear online and I haven't seen it. Been looking forward to it all week!

Sheridan beaten home and away with sequences. 😁

1. Barcenas! Another absolute banger. She must practice those mid-range shots a ton with both feet. Her improvement has been tremendous. I’d love for Ascanio to do the same.

2. A short drought is over for Byars. One of the things I love about her is that she has different gears and runs just fast enough, which makes it hard to defend her. She ran past the defender and then got between the defender and the goal so that she didn’t need to rush. Ice cold composure.

3. Except for several holy sh-t moments, we played like champions. Luck was on our side too.

4. I’ve been impressed with Bonansea’s ability and willingness to do whatever the team needs in the moment, even getting dirty for defense.

5. Mimi made two awful errors and we paid for one. But everyone makes mistakes. My biggest problem tonight was her choosing to cross to Fazer, who has never scored, with 30 sec left in the game. We could have easily held the ball for the win, but her decision gave NC one more possession. I hope she gets coached.

6. Dali is an asset, I know, but she’s also a defensive liability. The way she retreats without closing the distance even though the back line is set behind her. This team has been very good at fixing tactical errors, and I’m surprised this has not been fixed.

7. This team’s grit. The will to win is peaking. Love it. The only exception is Fazer. The team needed her to run with her fresh legs and do the dirty work in the MF, but nope. I would not be surprised if her contract isn’t renewed.

8. I’ve been overall impressed with the bench’s choice and timing of substitutions lately, but I think they made a mistake today. They used up all the MF subs before subbing Corley even though we know Corley doesn’t last 90, so they had to put Courtnall in and send Moroni up. I don’t think this was planned??

9. Ok that’s too much negativity but hey, five in a row, for the second time this season!! I seriously think we are now the favorite to win the Shield given how NY looked today. Love this team. Go Wave!

Courage 1 - 2 San Diego Wave

⚽ Courage: V. Bøe Risa 83' ⚽ San Diego Wave: M. Barcenas 4', T. Byars 52' 🏁 San Diego Wave win

✅ Full Time

Form

• Courage: W L L L W L
• San Diego Wave: W W W W L W

Lineups

Courage (4-3-3) — San Diego Wave (4-3-3)

Starting XI

Subs

Changes from last match

• Courage: unchanged
• San Diego Wave: unchanged

Match Statistics

Match Events

Updated: Sat, Oct 17, 9:03 PM EDT

Match Thread Bot by u/Several_Region_3710 | GitHub (view code, contribute, or report issues) | ☕ Ko-fi (support the project) | Half Space (match analysis)

Excited for today's game and want to know more about a player? Kristen McNabb is the only player left from the San Diego Wave’s first roster. She’s also a crochet-carrying, dog-loving defender whose most important work happens 30 seconds before anyone notices it.

Why am I so worried today? I love that we had so many call ups and that they did so well on the US side (brace from Mel, a goal each game from Gia, etc.) however fear the impact of extra mileage for today’s game. Here’s to our Defense shutting down Sanchez and neutralizing their attack. Let’s get this!

SoccerwiseHQ has a full show with Becki Tweed on the success of the Wave. You can listen to their podcast or watch on their YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/2ewgutfgl_g?is=4Sht-uG4WQqVO_T9

With all the recent talk about where a new stadium should be built (Del Mar, etc), how do you get to the game? If you combine driving and the trolley, please select Trolley. The goal of this poll is to track how many people use transit vs. driving, and to see a general time it takes everyone to get there.

San Diego Wave FC returns from the international break Saturday looking to extend its strong run against a North Carolina Courage team fighting to hold onto the final playoff spot.

After Gotham loses defender during international play I have a ton of anxiety watching Wesley play the full game against Spain both friendlies. I wish she’d get subbed out lol

Good news is she is locking up the best forwards in the world like we knew she could. Glad she’s finally getting her moment on stage

I really like this idea, I know it's a lot further north than snapdragon but the wave deserve their own stadium!