Wave beat Gotham FC 1-0; win NWSL Challenge Cup

San Diego Wave players celebrate winning 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey with 1-0 victory over Gotham FC. (Credit San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave Fútbol Club head coach Casey Stoney said their game looked like a “first match of the season.” Still, the team put forth a strong defensive effort and beat the reigning National Women’s Soccer League Champions, Gotham FC, 1-0 thanks to a late header by Alex Morgan to win the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup.

“I’m really proud of this squad. I’m so pleased they had this moment, they had this stage, they had the medal, they had the cup and I think that's what they deserved,”Stoney said.

The starting XI for the Wave missed some usually key pieces in Alex Morgan and Danielle Colaprico who were mainstays for the team last season, but Stoney said after the match the decision to keep Morgan off was for her protection as she was a crucial player to the USWNT in the Women’s Gold Cup tournament less than a week ago. 

Though part of the starters was the debuting rookie, Hanna Lundkvist, a Swedish international player signed in the offseason. In this match she played in an outside back position on the left side of the pitch. As the game started Gotham took advantage of her side of the pitch, pressing constantly and committing great players like Esther Gonzalez to that side. 

“Really pleased for (Lundkvist), I think she had to settle into the game and pace in the NWSL, I think it took her a little bit by surprise in the first half,” Stoney said. “She was excellent, really composed at times, technical, and defended well in moments especially when she was kind of backed up by a wide player or a midfielder. I always say if you give people an opportunity it’s up to them to take it and I thought she did excellent tonight.”

Gotham led in shots and had great moments, especially in the first half, but were stopped by Wave’s defensive line headlined by star United States center back Naomi Girma. 

“We stayed compact, stayed together, when they had the ball they were moving it around. I think we tried to keep the ball in front of us,” defender Girma said. “If it did get into our shape just really double down and make sure we were winning the ball or getting a toe in or just stopping their attacks. I think that was a full team effort, and I’m glad we kept a clean sheet today.”

The lone goal of the match came at minute 88 when the team earned only their third corner kick of the match. New signing Savannah McCaskill took the kick and sent the perfect cross to the center of the box. Alex Morgan was wide upon after lightly pushing off two defenders in front of her to head it in easily and make it 1-0. 

The Wave are now 5-0 against Gotham across all competitions, and Morgan leads the league in goals scored against the Bats with 11 since the club’s inaugural season in 2022.

This match was a one-off and does not count toward the regular season standings. Their official NWSL season starts next Saturday, March 23, at home in Snapdragon Stadium where they will face Kansas City Current.