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NWSL San Diego Wave FC

Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC at Washington Spirit

May 5, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
San Diego Wave FC News Release


San Diego Wave FC begins a three-game road trip this Saturday, May 6, starting with the Washington Spirit at Audi Field. Kickoff is slated for 10:00 a.m. PT with the match being nationally-televised on CBS.

The two clubs matched up twice last year, the Wave's inaugural season, with each team taking three points on home turf. San Diego hosted the Spirit on July 3, as midfielders Makenzy Doniak and Belle Briede each scored to help the team earn a 2-1 win at Torero Stadium. Two months later, the Wave headed to Audi Field and nearly secured the point on the road before losing on a penalty kick in the tenth minute of extra time. Following the first goal by forward Jaedyn Shaw, forward Alex Morgan earned a brace.

Washington Spirit (2-0-3, 9 points) are coming off a 1-1 draw against the Chicago Red Stars on the road, in which the Spirit out-shot (23-10) and out-possessed (59-41). Forward Ashley Hatch converted a penalty kick in the 29th minute to take the point, marking her league-leading fourth goal of the season. Hatch is helped on the attack by fellow forward Trinity Rodman, who has earned two goals and one assist in 2023 to help Washington remain as the last undefeated team in the NWSL.

The Wave are entering the new week earning its first loss at Snapdragon Stadium this season. San Diego (3-2-0, 9 points) went up early against Orlando Pride when forward Jaedyn Shaw earned her third goal of the regular season, but it was not enough as the Wave dropped the match 3-1. With her goal, Shaw has now scored in each of her first four home starts this season (including Challenge Cup), tying Abby Wambach (WNY) for the longest such streak to begin a career in NWSL history.

San Diego's match was highlighted when 15-year-old forward Melanie Barcenas made her professional debut, becoming the youngest player in NWSL history to appear in a match (15 years and 177 days). The Wave signed Barcenas to a three-year deal in March, and she became the youngest contracted player ever in the league (15 years and 138 days).

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