SAN DIEGO (Aug. 26, 2026) – San Diego Wave FC (11-3-7, 36 points) continue its home stretch at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28 when it hosts Racing Louisville FC (7-12-2, 23 points). The match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. PT with tickets available for purchase here. The game will be broadcast live on NWSL+.
Since San Diego joined the league in 2022, the Wave have a 3-2-3 record against Racing Louisville. The most recent meeting between the two sides was a 1-0 loss against Racing at Snapdragon Stadium on Aug. 24, 2025, after a goal from Emma Sears in the 59th minute. The Wave have a 2-1-1 record all-time against Racing Louisville at home.
Last Time Out:
The Wave enters Friday’s match following a 4-2 win over Utah Royals FC on Friday, Aug. 21 at Snapdragon Stadium, led by a four-goal contribution performance from Trinity Byars. Byars scored twice and added two assists, opening the scoring in the fourth minute after Melanie Barcenas picked her out with a perfectly weighted ball that earned NWSL Assist of the Week. After Utah equalized, Byars set up Barcenas to restore the lead before halftime. The Royals leveled again early in the second half, but Byars completed her brace in the 64th minute before assisting Ludmila six minutes later to seal the win. Barcenas finished the night with a goal and an assist.
Racing Louisville travels to San Diego following a 3-2 away loss to Chicago Stars FC on Sunday, Aug. 23. Jameese Joseph opened the scoring for Chicago in the 34th minute before Taylor Flint brought Louisville level shortly after halftime in the 49th. Mallory Swanson restored Chicago’s lead in the 62nd minute, but Makenna Morris answered six minutes later to make it 2-2. Julia Grosso then found the game-winner in the 83rd minute to secure all three points for Chicago.
Players to Watch:
Melanie Barcenas enters Friday’s match having scored in back-to-back home games, bringing her season total to five goals. The 18-year-old is tied with Dudinha and Lia Godfrey for second-most on the team and continues to play a key role in San Diego’s attack.
Alongside Barcenas, Trinity Byars has been one of the Wave’s most productive attacking players and is coming off a four-goal contribution performance in the club’s 4-2 win over Utah Royals FC on Aug. 21. Byars scored twice and added two assists in the match and leads San Diego with eight goals this season.
Emma Sears continues to lead Racing Louisville’s attack with a team-high seven goals while adding five assists, second-most on the team behind Lauren Milliet. Sears also scored the decisive goal in the previous meeting between the two sides at Snapdragon Stadium. Louisville has other dangerous players across its attack as well, with Taylor Flint and Makenna Morris both finding the back of the net in the club’s most recent match against Chicago Stars FC.
