San Diego Wave FC return with 2-0 win against Gotham FC
San Diego Wave players celebrate Trinity Byars’ goal in second half stoppage time to extend the lead to 2-0. (Photo credit: San Diego Wave FC)
San Diego Wave FC faced a tough task in their return to NWSL action. Facing the reigning NWSL champions, Gotham FC, who won the Challenge Cup a week prior against KC Current.
Still, the Wave showed no rust, held Gotham scoreless and netted two goals with a solid performance across all phases of the pitch. The victory was their ninth of the season and kept them atop the NWSL standings with 28 points through 14 matches played.
The Wave looked much different entering the match with 19-year-old goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo on the starting lineup and were without their star forward Dudinha who suffered a season-ending injury during an international friendly with Brazil.
Gabi Portilho moved to the left wing position and Melanie Barcenas played on the right while Ludmila stayed in the striker’s spot.
Both teams prefer to dominate possession, and Gotham appeared to take control to start the match, but after Wave settled into the game the match became much more even as San Diego’s offense connected for solid combination play.
Melanie Barcenas scored the goal for Wave just before the end of the first half in the 45th minute. The entire Wave squad was pressing high and Kennedy Wesley sent a pass centrally for Barcenas. Barcenas was not defended and a couple of yards away from the penalty box, an area where most wouldn’t shoot, but the 18-year-old unleashed a shot with her left foot that the goalkeeper didn’t have a chance at making it 1-0.
Barcenas then celebrated by sipping an imaginary tea cup, an homage to an iconic celebration by former Wave star and current minority owner, Alex Morgan.
“I knew I wanted to do that [celebration] at home, so obviously Alex [Morgan] could be here to see it,” Barcenas said. “I think it would have been way more special here in front of our home fans where she is an investor in our club.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment, and what better way than a left-footed goal? She’s scored lots of left foot goals. Amazing goals. I’m really happy I got to do that and help the team.”
San Diego made offensive substitutions in the second half consistent with Eidevall’s constant attacking style. Among the substitutions were three players that contributed to the final goal, and Trinity Armstrong who returned from a knee injury she suffered in the Wave’s playoff match in 2025.
“I always knew we had an amazing fan base, and to hear that coming out was thrilling and just felt super supportive for my journey and finally making it back on the field,” Armstrong said. “Honestly getting the shutout was absolutely amazing, especially against a top team like Gotham. That was really important and special for us.”
The substitutes that created the game-sealing goal were Tatum Wynalda, Lia Godfrey and Trinity Byars. During the third minute of second-half stoppage time, Gotham was pressing high trying to get an equalizer, but their goalkeeper, Ann Katrin-Berger was very high off her line closer to the half line than her goal. A wave clearance went into clear space and Katrin-Berger tried to clear the ball, but was blocked by Tatum Wynalda trying to get to the ball first.
The deflection landed into an open area for Lia Godfrey who sent the ball ahead with no defenders near for Trinity Byars. The net was empty so Byars simply passed the ball softly into the goal to make it 2-0.
The Wave’s next fixture will be a rivalry match at home against their Southern California neighbors to the north, Angel City FC, on Saturday, July 11.
