Gia Corley scored the first goal for San Diego Wave in the club’s 2-2 draw against the Boston Legacy in the final home regular season match of the season. (Photo Credit: Wave FC)
San Diego Wave extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with a 2-2 draw at home against the Boston Legacy in the final home match of the regular season in front of an announced crowd of 15,701.
“Today it was one of those days where we didn’t have the margins on our side, and we need to accept that,” said Wave Head Coach Jonas Eidevall. “We need to look ourselves in the mirror and see what we can do better of course, but even more important, we need to recover, refresh (and) remember what we did good today and be ready for decision day.”
The Wave were the more dominant team in possession in the first half, but were inefficient in the first half not scoring any goals despite many chances.
San Diego went on to open the second half poorly conceding a goal in the 48th minute in a set piece opportunity for the Legacy.
However, the Wave completely turned it around following the goal, confidently sending more players up the pitch for the attack leading to two goals within eight of being down.
The first goal came in the 51st minute as Melanie Barcenas had the ball entering the attacking third from a central position and sent it to her left to Gia Corley playing on the left wing. Corley was covered well, but managed to take a left-footed shot that bounced off the far post and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
The pressure didn’t stop there with the Wave pressing well, and forcing through another goal only a few minutes later in the 54th minute. Melanie Barcenas once again had the ball in the attacking third and used her signature footwork to lose her defender, and passed the ball to her right into open space for Kenza Dali.
The Wave captain got behind the Legacy defense and sent a perfect cross in toward Trinity Byars who was rushing toward the six-yard box. Byars nearly got her foot to the cross, but instead the ball deflected off a Boston defender and into the back of the net to make it 2-1.
The home side seemed poised to secure three points and at least the second spot in the NWSL standings, but were spoiled by an incredible goal by Boston’s Alba Caño in the 73rd minute. The Spanish midfielder got away from Kimmi Ascanio a few yards outside the penalty area, then unleashed a curling shot toward the goal that found the back of the net easily to make it 2-2.
San Diego were the better team the rest of the match, but couldn’t find the finishing touch ending the night with the draw.
The Wave play their final match of the regular season the road against Bay FC at 2 p.m. for NWSL decision day when every team faces off at the same time to determine the final seeding for the NWSL Playoffs, and the NWSL Shield race.
The path to the NWSL shield is still open for Wave, but relies on the result of one other match. Should Gotham FC lose their match against the Utah Royals, and the Wave win against Bay FC the clubs would be equal on points. The first tie-breaker is goal differential and the Wave would lead the category even if the Wave only wins by one goal.
There are two other scenarios the Wave can end the season with. With Gotham win and San Diego win, or simply a Wave draw San Diego would take second place and guarantee themselves a home semi-final match if they advance. The other outcome of the weekend could be ending in third place with a loss and win by the Washington Spirit.
