semifinal recap: pain, a san diego heritage
Deep into added time of the 1st half, Wavé had a free kick at the top of the penalty box, slightly left of center. Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Emily van Egmond and Danielle Colaprico huddled around the spot for a while, discussing how to go about the final play of the half. Its location would suggest both Shaw’s right foot or Morgan’s left were well suited for a direct shot on goal. Current form and 22 games worth of history would favor the right-footed player who was selected to the NWSL Best XI over the latter option.
Instead, they ran the set play below, amounting to nothing but confusion from coach Casey Stoney (“I didn’t understand that decision in that moment” - postgame presser), and groans from the crowd.
What should have been a legacy moment for whoever took a chance at goal, instead sits in a trophy case of “what if” San Diego sports lore. Poetically, minutes into the 2nd half, Veronica Latsko (also known as “the woman who scored the goal”) took a chance from the nearside touchline, smashing a prayer ball into the box, answered by an angel into the back of the net. That was the difference in the game; a moment of overthinking versus a moment of “f— it let’s see what happens.”
Sidebar: who was the unserious reporter at the Stoney postgame presser who couldn’t look at a boxscore before starting a question with “the woman who scored the goal said…” C'mon man. Turn up the video below.
Speaking of Stoney, there is so much praise to be given for what she’s accomplished with the club in such a short time, but we’ll leave that to the Season Recap piece later. On this day, she played her worst hand of the season.
Defensively, everything went well. They were disruptive and disciplined, minimizing chances for OL. On offense, ill-timed turnovers almost cost them in the first half, but outside of that, they looked stuck, never really threatening their opponents. After going down 1-0, Stoney decided the 61st minute was the time for change: Sofia Jakobsson in, Rachel Hill out.
It was clear what the team was desperate for—playmakers. Nothing was happening in possession. Someone had to come in with an eagerness for the ball and the courage to dribble at people. Thankfully, plenty of options were available on the bench. I was surprised when only one change was made in the first substitute window, rather than two. The obvious moves to me were Jakobsson and Amirah Ali for Hill and Makenzy Doniak (which she made in the 78th min).
I understand the goal was lucky and taking comfort with the way the defensive plan was going, but at the 61st minute, you can’t hope for a stroke of luck, you need someone who can create it. Jakobsson and Ali are direct players who thrive in space with the ball at their feet. They were the right moves, but needed way earlier. (Bringing on Kristen McNabb for a gassed Madison Pogarch was necessary but may have been avoidable with more offensive players on the pitch who help you with possession).
By the 88th minute, Taylor Kornieck and Kyra Carusa came on for Colaprico and Shaw. This was another puzzling move. Kornieck should have been in earlier to help win long balls in the middle of the pitch. The 88th minute of a game where the opponent is trying to keep a result is not really how you let Carusa and Morgan cook in the attacking third. (I had hoped they started the game honestly)
My biggest gripe with Stoney’s game management was how she watched this sloppy play and lack of ideas in possession, and didn’t think Melanie Barcenas might be the offensive spark the team needed. Bringing her on for Colaprico or van Egmond seemed like a simple move in the final 20 minutes of play.
That freekick moment felt like it summed up something bigger picture I’ve noticed. While the team has been great overall, for some reason they can’t perform at home when the lights get bright. It feels like the games that get the most hype at home, the team happens to show its worst form. Again, short history, it’s only been a couple games I can count like this, but it is a frustrating truth, not just because of the end result, but because a lot of these people might be watching Wave footy for the first time. Those poor moments don’t define this club and I’d hate for that to be the impression left on those who tune in just for the big matches. And I get the three week layoff was cruel for rhythm, clearly felt by Portland as well, but I think those experiencing Wavé for the first time probably don’t know (or care) about that honestly.
NWSL Championship
It’s funny how Gotham FC have never managed a single point against San Diego but they end up lifting a trophy there. Silly, funny game.
Anyway, congrats to them and their zero-to-hero trajectory over their last two seasons. Their attacking options are scary and they showed out when it mattered most, shoutout to big Midge Purce and doing a madness on the biggest stage. She deserves it after being looked over for the World Cup.
Let’s talk about hosting the final!
(By the way, absolute amateur hour that the 2023 Shield winners hosted a semifinal game with football lines, college logos and most importantly a tricky surface.)
I complain about the Snapdragon pitch plenty and I hope players continue to do so because they definitely deserve better and it will only get worse once the MLS team starts playing. Maybe THOSE complaints will be heard, I don’t know. Here’s a quote from Gotham’s Lynn Williams on the Snacks podcast which she and Sam Mewis host:
“The field, though, I wish it was a little bit nicer. The grass was short and fast, but it was very sandy. We really need to think about that in the next place that we have the final.”
She does mention how the hype, energy and pageantry of the championship was the incredible and speaks to the growth of the league (she would know she’s played and won 4 finals!)
Local(s) News
While this doesn’t involve SDWFC directly, I wish it did. When the beloved San Diego Loyal’s final season ended, I hoped fans, after grieving the end of something so beautiful they created, would transition that love, energy and creativity to the Wavé. Folks from their supporter groups, The Locals and Chavos de Loyal, showed up to the semifinal and could be heard throughout the broadcast. It was electric.
Recently I came across this:
go you!
I don’t know who he is or what a supporter liaison does exactly, but hiring someone who was part of establishing that community seems like a great move. Earlier today, The Locals posted this. If you’re not trying to read all that, here’s what matters:
Honestly this was the expected result, but I did hold hope they would pivot support to SDWFC. Look, I’m not out there, I’m not involved and don’t know any details about their situation internally. But I can speak on what it looks like.
As the Loyal announced their end, statements were made dragging the new MLS team for not working with them. Efforts were made to rally voices against anything SDFC touched, punctuated by “community is built not bought.” It was an emotional time and maybe things were said in the heat of the moment that weren’t exactly meant (I’m giving benefit of the doubt) and now that anger has subsided, people are fine supporting the big bad wolf they blame for eating what they loved. And that’s fine! More major sports teams in San Diego is good!
What I don’t understand is how you list something like “remain committed to our values and our city” and apply it to something that doesn’t exist yet, outside of a name and logo. Unless the local women’s soccer team does something not aligned with the supporters’ values and the city, why not transfer your support there? They check off everything on the list, plus they actually exist and play games and have players and a coach and stuff.
Again, I’m not in those discussions and I’m sure the people working behind the scenes for SDFC are trying their best to connect and support the soccer community. I’m just sharing the perception this move gives off, given all the noise leading up to today. Also, they said people voted on it, so I am sure there are many who want no part of SDFC and that’s fine too. To them, I encourage and support you starting another supporter’s group for the San Diego Wave!
Anyway, I do think listing values and supporting something that has yet to establish values is probably just saying the quiet part out loud. Cheers.
