Wave offense dismal in 1-0 loss to Orlando Pride

Australian midfielder Emily Van Egmond moves the ball forward during San Diego Wave’s away match in a 1-0 loss against unbeaten Orlando Pride. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC continued their road trip Friday, April 19, against Orlando Pride and lost 1-0 after a dreary performance in the first half and inability to create positive offensive chances.

The team began to look better near the end as they passed the ball efficiently and created chances until just before stoppage time when star United States forward Alex Morgan injured her ankle and the team ran out of substitutes. They played eight minutes of stoppage time with 10 players, and just managed to escape with only one goal scored against them. 

The first goal of the night came in the 26th minute after very poor defensive play and what head coach Casey Stoney called a “comedy of errors.” The Wave players were unable to clear the ball despite multiple opportunities in the final third. The Pride kept their players high and eventually switched play to the left side. Fullback Kerry Abello received the ball and with lots of space in front of her put a shot on goal toward the near post. Kailen Sheridan deflected the ball sending it to the center of the box where Summer Yates kicked it in easily to make it 1-0. 

The rest of the first half consisted of many similar errors with unforced giveaways and an inability to maintain possession for long periods of times. Stoney said in the halftime interview that it felt like the team couldn’t get into a rhythm or even get two passes together. 

“I thought the second half we were brighter, but we didn’t really test the goalkeeper or create a huge amount,” said Stoney. “Lots for me to reflect on in terms of shape and team selection and where we go from here, but it’s not an easy place to come and we’ve only taken one point on the road out of six and that’s not good enough.” 

The only positives that Stoney said she would take away  was the ability of two of her newer players defender Kennedy Wesley and 16-year-old midfielder Kimmi Ascanio who were both making their second appearances coming on as substitutes. 

“(Wesley’s) tenacious, she’s good on the ball and such a solid defender for us,” said fellow center back Abby Dahlkemper. “I’m just really proud for her and happy that she was able to get minutes and help our defense get a shutout in the second half.”

Dahlkemper after the match also made sure to say multiple times that there were no excuses for their poor performance and the team was poor both individually and collectively. 

Sheridan ended the night with seven saves ultimately limiting the damage considering how poor the team had played with some especially good saves against newest Orlando signing Barbra Banda. 

The Wave will return to San Diego and play their third home match of the season on Saturday, April 27, against the newly founded expansion team Bay FC for the first time. Bay FC is currently ahead of the Wave in the standings with two wins and two losses.