Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC vs. Orlando Pride

SAN DIEGO, Calif.  – San Diego Wave Fútbol Club (7-4-4, W-L-D) continues its home stretch this Saturday, August 13, facing Orlando Pride (3-5-6) for the first of two meetings between the sides this season. The team kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT from Torero Stadium and hopes to bounce back against the Florida squad.

San Diego Wave FC has four former Orlando Pride players on its roster (Alex Morgan, Taylor Kornieck, Emily Van Egmond and Jodie Taylor), who look for a win against their former team this weekend.

“Hopefully, they will want to go into the game and win. I have played against clubs I left previously, and you do – you definitely want to make sure you win – because you have moved to another club for a reason.”

Casey Stoney, Wave FC Head Coach

Last Saturday, Amirah Ali and Kailen Sheridan highlighted the night in key moments of the 1-2 loss versus Kansas City Current. Ali scored her first NWSL regular season goal in a late-match comeback attempt, and Sheridan sent the crowd roaring with yet another penalty kick save, now leading the league in career penalty kick saves with eight.

“It is important for us to bounce back from the last game; it was not a good showing from us, It is important for us to get back on track, and we know we have it in us. We love playing at home; we love feeling the energy from the crowd. For me, personally, playing against Orlando rather than with Orlando is going to be a little different. I know most of those players and coaches very well, so it will definitely be a new and different challenge for me, but I am really looking forward to this game.” 

Alex Morgan, Wave FC Forward

Orlando Pride brings a 2-3-2 road record with them to Torero Stadium on Saturday and will be looking to break their three-game draw streak. Midfielder and rookie Julie Doyle has scored in each of Orlando’s last two games, her first two professional goals, and will be a player to watch on Saturday. Orlando doesn’t have a standout goal scorer with their 16 goals spread throughout nine people, and no single player has scored more than two goals. Wave FC will need to be vigilant of all Pride goalscoring opportunities, especially ones inside the box, where Orlando has scored all their goals.

Notably, captain and center back Abby Dahlkemper will be available again this weekend after sitting out the last match due to a red card (second yellow) received while playing the Chicago Red Stars on July 30.

San Diego Wave FC closes out its 2022 campaign at Torero Stadium next Saturday, August 20, against the Houston Dash, before the team moves into the new state-of-the-art Snapdragon Stadium on September 17. August 20 is Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by XEWT Channel 12 Televisa, and will be a festivities-filled night with a headband giveaway at the gate, limited-edition merchandise, food from Daggos and Belindas, a colorful plaza, live mariachi music and more.

DON’T MISS THE ACTION AT TORERO!

About San Diego Wave Fútbol Club

San Diego Wave Fútbol Club is the 12^th and newest member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The club’s vision is to be a force for good through the game we love and is led by President Jill Ellis, former head coach of the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) and two-time World Cup champion. Together with Head Coach Casey Stoney, the club will bring the highest level of world-class, professional soccer to San Diego. USWNT standouts Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper were two of the first players signed to the club that consists of athletes representing six international soccer federations, including US, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, England and Australia. The team began its inaugural season at a temporary home, University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium. The new Snapdragon Stadium will serve as Wave FC’s permanent home upon completion of construction, scheduled for September 17, 2022 as the team takes on Angel City FC.