On May 3, San Diego Wave FC (6-3-0) lost to in-state rival Bay FC (3-3-0) in an intense 1-0 clash. Despite the roaring home crowd and perfect weather, the Wave were unable to break through the Bay’s defense. Bay forward Racheal Kundananji’s early goal proved to be the deciding factor in the loss.
The Wave entered the game hot with a five-game winning streak to kick off the season, earning them a well-deserved top-three position in the NWSL standings. Though they had lost their most recent game to the Portland Thorns FC going into the match, the Wave displayed an incredible offensive prowess after kick-off, nearly finding the net in just 12 seconds after forward Ludmila intercepted a back pass to Bay keeper Jordan Silkowitz.
Despite mounting pressure in the attacking third of the pitch, the Wave struggled to clear through balls. Five minutes into the half, center back Kennedy Wesley missed an interception, setting up a perfect counter-attack for the Bay. Kundananji then placed the ball through the legs of Wave goalkeeper DiDi Haračić to make it 1-0.
Though at a disadvantage, San Diego continued its offensive surge. In the 11th minute, the Wave took a flurry of chances, including two dangerous crosses and a powerful shot from forward Dudinha that found itself just wide of the goal. Prospects improved for the San Diego side after a foul on Ludmila on the box gifted the Wave a penalty in the 14th minute. Midfielder Kenza Dali stepped up to take it, but Silkowitz stopped the shot with an inch-perfect save, pushing the ball onto the post.
The Wave remained hungry for an equalizer. They had several brilliant plays down the wings but struggled to finish crosses into the box, leaving the game 1-0 at the break.
Tides turned going into the second half as the Bay took up the offensive mantle. On the other half of the pitch, the Wave struggled once again to break through the strong Bay defense, with crosses going straight to opponents and chances getting shut down before causing any real threat. With the goal in hand, all Bay had to do was maintain the lead — maintain the lead it did.
“I think obviously going one-nil down early in the first half gives you a lot of time, but also as the longer the time goes on, you feel a little bit more pressure,” Wave assistant coach Becki Tweed said in a postgame conference. “I think you can see that tonight.”
With time slipping away and the Wave in desperate need of a goal, the game took a dramatic turn in the 85th minute. Right as a Wave counter-attack was beginning to take form, a collision in the middle of the pitch stopped play. The referee’s controversial call provoked heated reactions from both fans and Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall, who received a direct red card.
Seven minutes were added at the end of the game, but the Wave only managed to muster a few shots at the goal near the end of regulation. San Diego was unable to find the back of the net, falling 1-0 in its third loss of the season.
Despite the loss, the Wave is currently second in the NWSL standings, 1 point behind the conference-leading Portland Thorns. The team traveled north to Los Angeles on Saturday, beating rival Angel City FC 2-1. The Wave will return to Snapdragon Stadium for a game against Washington Spirit on Friday.
