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NWSL San Diego Wave FC

San Diego Wave FC Fall to Washington Spirit 3-1 at Audi Field

May 6, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
San Diego Wave FC News Release


San Diego Wave FC exchange pre-game high fives
San Diego Wave FC exchange pre-game high fives
(San Diego Wave FC)

WASHINGTON D.C. - San Diego Wave FC (3-3-0, 9 points) fell to Washington Spirit (3-0-3, 12 points) 3-1 at Audi Field on Saturday afternoon.

After a stalemate first half, Washington found the opening goal in the 55th minute from forward Trinity Rodman, after slotting the ball to the far post off a one-on-one opportunity with Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.

The Spirit doubled their lead when midfielder Ashley Sanchez finished a cross from Rodman in the 70th minute and nine minutes later Paige Metayer put Washington up by three.

The Wave finally struck in the 90th minute when forward Alex Morgan found a rebound in the box to put San Diego on the board.

Next on the schedule: The Wave continue a three-game road stretch to Kansas City to face the Current on Sunday, May 14 at 3:00 p.m. PT. The match will be aired live on Paramount+.

Social: Twitter -@sandiegowavefc| Instagram -@sandiegowavefc|Facebook

Notes:

Forward Alex Morgan returned to the starting lineup after not playing in the Wave's last match. She scored the lone goal for the Wave, while earning her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Box Score:

Washington Spirit 3:1 San Diego Wave

Scoring Summary:

WA - T. Rodman (3) 55'

WA - A. Sanchez (1) 70'

WA - P. Metayer (1) (Staab) 79'

SD - A. Morgan (4) 90'

Misconduct Summary:

WA - Carle (Caution) 26'

SD - Westphal (Caution) 27'

San Diego Wave FC: GK Sheridan, D Girma, D Westphal (Pogarch 78'), D McNabb, D Riehl, M Colaprico, M Doniak (Barcenas 84'), M Hill (Ali 66'), F Jakobsson, F Shaw (Briede 46'), F Morgan ©

Subs not used: GK Brzykcy, M/D Enge, D Gyau, D Shorts

Washington Spirit: GK Kingsbury, D Carle (Elwell 86'), D Staab, F McKeown, D Brooks, M Metayer, M Sullivan (Douglas 86'), F Hatch, F Sanchez (Ricketts 86'), F Rodman (Silano 92'), M Jaurena (Sheva 73')

Subs not used: GK Barnhart, D Biegalski, GK Bosselmann, M Elwell, F Kuhlmann, F Silano

Stats Summary: DC / SD

Shots: 15 / 4

Shots on Target: 10 / 3

Saves: 2 / 7

Corners: 5 / 4

Fouls: 15 / 9

Offsides: 1 / 2

Possession: 43.8% / 56.2%

San Diego Wave FC Quotes:

Head Coach Casey Stoney

On tonight's match versus Washington Spirit:

"I think, obviously bitterly disappointed. Goals change games. And I thought, in the first half, we struggled to get a grip on them. I thought we actually finished the first half the brighter team. They started brighter, and then in the second half, we came out the brighter team and didn't really capitalize when we were on top. And then the first goal's a sucker punch. It does change games if we deflate this a bit. And we knew that they'd be dangerous on transition, and they were, so I can't, I can never fault my team. I thought they tried really hard today. We are missing a lot of players. Again, no excuse. We are still capable of winning the game. But we tried, you know, and we had a goal disallowed. We added another goal. We change shape a little bit, try and get back in the game. But my message to the team was, we've conceded six in two. We can't continue to concede three goals again and expect to be where we want in the table. So lots of lessons I'll reflect on, you know, how I set the team up and what we did. It's a tough travel chip but we've got another two tough ones to come so we have to bounce. It will show the character for our group now and the next week on how we reflect, learn and, and try to get a result against Kansas."

On preparing for a team that is in form like Washington:

"It's very difficult. Trinity Rodman is probably one of the hardest working forwards I've ever seen live in person. Obviously, she's got pace. She's got the ability to run with a ball. She can carry the ball, but she tracks back. You know, that woman works hard. She's a very efficient player. The US will be lucky if she's selected for the World Cup because they get to take her. And we've worked right like that. You got a chance. And, well, I think the first goal is unfortunate. You know, if we get a better touch on the ball, it goes back to Kailen, then we clear it. But mistakes happen in games. You know, I'm not gonna criticize my players for mistakes. These things happen, they do change games, though. So she's a good player."

On how the team is going bounce back:

"Got to learn fast. We need to do a lot of work on how we defend transitions. We've not been good in those moments. How we defend corners without struggling for height. And our team, at the moment, without van Egmond, without Kornieck, and players like that, we are struggling for height, but how we defend them is important. We've conceded from two of them in the last two games. But, you know, I thought we played some decent stuff at times today. You know, if we score when Alex goes around the keeper, it's a different game, isn't it. But, listen, it's about positivity. Now, you know, I've said to the players, we don't go three and three in terms of losses. We have to learn fast. We have to learn hard. And we have to make sure that every player is prepared to travel again next week and try and get results."

On Naomi in her second season as a professional:

"I think she's just gonna continue to grow. I think, obviously people need to realize this is only her second year as a professional. Last year's an exceptional season, and she's played well again this season. But it's making sure that, you know, we keep supporting her development. She's got, you know, masses of potential, lots of room for growth, areas for growth as well. And, you know, for me, it's exciting because she's just gonna keep getting better and better. I think she can be more confident on the ball, I think, in terms of the way she solves pressure, and I think about problem solving. But then that comes with experience and seeing different pictures. I think problem solving is something that she's gonna continue to have to work on, cause she's so good on the ball. I wanted her to be braver. I want her to see where their numbers are, where the spaces are, how she can solve it without, you know, being, have to be coached through those moments. But that comes with time and experience, you know, and, and seeing those pictures. And she will have to learn from today's game again. So it's not about ability on the wall is more about decision making. And now, I think her ability on the ball is good. It's just about decision making, confidence and bravery sometimes, and also, you know, seeing the pictures. And that's our job to make sure that she faces those pictures in training so that she can solve them in games."

Forward Sofia Jakobsson:

On bouncing back from two losses in a row:

"In the first half, the Washington Spirit was pushing us back, and it was hard for us to create an overload in the open sea and to create chances. Obviously, we have conceded too many goals in the two last games, six goals, and we have to work on that to be able to win games. We can concede three goals and still be in the game. So I hope, and we need to work on our different shape, and we still scored a goal today. So I think the difference is we have to build on being able to get three points from Kansas."

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San Diego Wave FC exchange pre-game high fives
San Diego Wave FC exchange pre-game high fives
   



National Women's Soccer League Stories from May 6, 2023


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