Wave take season series from Utah with big 4-2 victory
San Diego Wave forward Trinity Byars had four goal contributions (Two assists and two goals) in the Wave’s 4-2 victory against the Utah Royals. (Photo Credit: San Diego Wave FC)
Trinity Byars was involved in every goal in San Diego Wave’s 4-2 victory against the Utah Royals. The win at home was San Diego’s second victory against the Royals, putting the two clubs level on points with nine matches to go in the NWSL season.
“Coming up to play against a team that probably presses with the most high intensity in the league and we knew that was gonna put its mark on the game,” Wave Head Coach Jonas Eidevall said. “We’re going to have a little bit less time on the ball in our own half, but we also knew that there were some pretty big gains for us if we were successful in playing through their pressure and were able to go in behind, so basically all our four goals come from moments of that.”
San Diego took advantage of Utah’s pressure early in the match with a goal by Byars in the fourth minute. The Wave just dispossessed Utah in their half and were moving forward for a counter attack. Melanie Barcenas had the ball in the midfield and sent a perfect through ball to Byars hiding in the left wing. The 23-year-old forward moved behind the Royals defense quickly for a one-on-one chance with the Royals goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn coming off her line. Byars kept her shot low, but around McGlynn to make it 1-0.
The Utah pressure helped them equalize around the 25th minute frustrating the Wave and putting them on the back foot allowing a goal in the 29th minute by star Japanese midfielder, Mina Tanaka.
The Royals were building a strong attack and caught Kennedy Wesley out of position while Cecilia Delzer had the ball with her back to the net. Lacasse was defended by Kristen McNabb, but she passed the ball into a wide open space for Tanaka who rifled it into the top left bin to make it 1-1.
The Wave turned the momentum around following the goal and nearly scored on the restart, but eventually scored in the 40th minute. In a similar play Byars got a pass running behind the Royals backline, however this time McGlynn timed her run better forcing Byars to go to her left instead of taking a shot. This left an open goal and free space in the center of the penalty area for Melanie Barcenas. Byars crossed the ball in lightly to Barcenas who put the shot in with her left foot to make it 2-1.
Utah’s press worked well to open the second half as they scored within two minutes of the restart. The Royals sent a pass along the right channel for Paige Cronin. Perle Morroni had the ball in front of her, and could have cleared it but took a poor touch and allowed Cronin to steal it and send a pass in the box. The next pass was errant, but found two open attackers on the far post. Cloe Lacasse passed the ball back to Tanaka who shot it over Sandra Panos to make it 2-2.
Byars’ second goal and the third goal for the Wave came in the 63rd minute after Jordan Fusco sent a perfect through ball to Byars who timed her run perfectly to get behind the Royals back line. It was Byars’ clearest chance of the night from the middle as she used her speed to create another one-on-one opportunity with McGlynn forced to come off her line. This time Byars took the shot outside the penalty area, sending it strongly past the goalkeeper to make it 3-2.
The final goal of the night was scored by Brazilian forward Ludmila in the 70th minute. Ludmila was one of the club’s biggest signings entering the 2026 season providing important speed and quality in the striker position. However, she has only scored one goal in 2026 after leading the Chicago Stars with 10 goals in 2025.
Byars created the chance after getting past two defenders with her back to them and rushing up the pitch along the right wing before sending a perfect pass to Ludmila who only needed one touch to redirect the pass into the back of the net.
“We all knew it was coming, it was only a matter of time, and obviously, we’re always excited for our teammates,” said Byars. “But I think it was really special for [Ludmila] because we know she can do it. Yeah, she did great today.”
The assist put Byars atop the goals contribution leaderboard with 10, only one more than the Dudinha.
The Wave have nine matches left in the NWSL regular season and will play the final match of their three-game homestand on Friday, August 28, against 12th place Racing Louisville.
