San Diego Wave downward spiral continues with 2-1 loss to Washington Spirit
Perle Morroni started in San Diego Wave’s 2-1 loss against the Washington Spirit. (Photo credit: Wave FC)
The Wave lost 2-1 to Washington Spirit thanks to a goal in the final moments of stoppage time, extending their winless streak to seven matches. The loss also ended their eight-match road unbeaten streak.
The Spirit dominated the beginning of the game with a fast-paced offense with quick passes that made the Wave look disoriented before giving up a goal in the ninth minute.
Spirit star, Trinity Rodman had the ball in a dangerous area and was defended by Perle Morroni, but the ball bounced away toward the wing for the right back Deborah Abiodun. The outside back cut back then sent a perfect cross into Rosemonde Kouassi who headed the ball in to make it 1-0.
“We definitely don’t start the game as we want to,” Eidevall said. “We gave too much space in our defense, we don’t move the ball quick and crisp enough, and the goal is a result of that. But there are other parts in the first half that we can do better.
“I think one thing that the players do really well is they show a lot of heart, but even in the second half we’re poor in the decision making a couple times, which is the big transition moments for them. There’s really only one reason we’re still in the game, and that’s Kailen Sheridan.”
The Canadian goalkeeper was starting her first match in two matches following the birth of her child. Sheridan was in top form for most of the match making nine saves and stopped multiple dangerous one-on-one opportunities by Washington’s dangerous attackers.
The Wave held the possession advantage throughout the match, but could not create any solid goal-scoring opportunities, only managing one shot on target. Though that shot almost stole a point for the away side.
It came thanks to Delphine Cascarino in the fifth minute of stoppage time who came back as a substitute from two matches away with an injury.
The Wave brought the ball through the midfield and Kyra Carusa held the ball briefly before sending a pass to Cascarino behind the Spirit backline. Cascarino rushed in front of the goalkeeper and smacked the ball in with the outside of her foot to make it 1-1.
The Wave needed to hold the result for about two more minutes of the seven-minute stoppage time, but the Spirit did not go easily. Washington held a high press and the Wave backline played a bit too high inside the box while Kouassi had the ball. Sheridan was off her line trying to defend a potential cross in, but Kouassi’s cross sailed over Sheridan into the back corner of the net to make it 2-1.
“From an emotional perspective that's of course really really tough for us to take, and I think we all feel pretty drained after the game, but the important thing for us is to stay together here now. We have a really important game next weekend against Utah,” Eidevall said. “If there’s one thing we can’t do it’s to dwell on the mistakes, we win together we win together and we lose together.”
The Wave will play their next match on the road on Saturday, October 11, against the Utah Royals. The Royals are 12th place in the NWSL, but unbeaten through their last eight matches.
