San Diego Wave FC ended their season with a 3-1 victory against Racing Louisville, breaking a three-game losing streak. Despite the positive ending, the Wave missed the NWSL playoffs for the first time in their history. The team, with a record of 6-13-7 and 25 points, finished in 10th place after winning the Shield as first in the 2023 regular season.
Their final match was supposed to be played at home but took place 2,100 miles away at Lynn Family Stadium due to safety concerns at Snapdragon’s Stadium. Interim head coach Landon Donovan expressed pride in the team’s resilience throughout the season and the progress they have made despite the challenges they faced.
Forward Jaedyn Shaw scored an early goal in the third minute, marking her team-leading fourth goal of the season. This goal also made her the teenager with the most goals scored in NWSL history. Midfielder María Sánchez added to the lead with a direct free-kick goal, the first in San Diego’s regular-season history.
Racing Louisville managed to pull one back in the 68th minute, but San Diego’s Savannah McCaskill secured the win with her first goal for the club just seven minutes later. The team emphasized resilience and toughness as key factors in their performance, especially during the turbulent second half of the season.
Head coach Casey Stoney’s dismissal in June led to Donovan’s appointment as the second interim coach in August. Donovan’s future with the team remains uncertain, with discussions about the next season on hold until the current one is fully concluded. Despite the challenges, Donovan expressed his love for impacting the players’ lives in a positive way and building a sustainable team culture.
Looking ahead, Donovan sees a bright future for the team and emphasized the importance of growth and building something sustainable over time. He will also host a podcast with Tim Howard starting on Nov. 12 called Unfiltered Soccer.
The Orlando Pride finished the season in first place with 60 points, leading into the upcoming playoffs. Despite missing the postseason, San Diego Wave FC ended their season on a positive note, showcasing their resilience and potential for the future.
