Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2026) –San Diego Wave FC (16-8-3, 51 points) clinched a berth in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs with a 2-1 road win over the Orlando Pride (10-14-3, 33 points).
Lia Godfrey opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Trinity Byars held up play and set her up inside the box. The goal was Godfrey’s sixth of the season, while Byars recorded her 13th goal contribution of the year, the second-most in a single season in Wave FC history. Gia Corley doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, finishing a rebound for her second goal in consecutive road matches and third in her last four appearances.
Orlando pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half, but Wave FC continued to create chances, including a Byars effort that forced a save and a Laurina Fazer strike off the crossbar. San Diego held firm through the closing stages to secure the 2-1 victory and officially clinch its place in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs.
Next on the schedule: Following the international FIFA window, NWSL regular season play will resume on Saturday, Oct. 17, when San Diego Wave FC travels to face the North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium at 4 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on NWSL+.
Social: Twitter – @sandiegowavefc | Instagram – @sandiegowavefc | Facebook
Player Notes:
- Lia Godfrey scored her sixth goal of the season, the second most amongst rookies in the NWSL this year.
- Gia Corley scored her third goal of the season, marking back-to-back matches with a goal.
- Corley has scored three goals in four matches.
- Trinity Byars recorded her third assist of the season, tallying 13 goal contributions on the year, the second most in a single season in club history behind Alex Morgan’s 17 in 2022.
- Defenders Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb started their 27th consecutive game this season; both completed 90 minutes.
- Kennedy Wesley has started every match and played every minute this season.
Match Notes:
- San Diego Wave FC clinched a spot in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs, the second team to do so this season.
- San Diego clinched a spot in the NWSL Playoffs for the fourth time in its five seasons, just the third club in NWSL history to do so.
- The win San Diego snapped a five-match winless streak against Orlando Pride in league action dating to Aug. 25, 2023
- Only once in the seven previous meetings has San Diego beaten the Pride.
- San Diego have won eight games on the road in 2026; extending the single season record for the club.
- San Diego has scored four goals inside the opening five minutes of the match this season, the most of any NWSL team.
- The Wave improved to 14-0-3 when scoring first this season.
- Wave FC have a record of 11-0-3 when leading teams at halftime.
- San Diego has improved its single season win record (15) and points earned (51) record.
- SD is 43-1-6 when scoring two or more goals in a regular-season match.
Goals by Half:
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Pride | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| San Diego Wave | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Scoring Summary:
| Minute | Team | Goalscorer | Assisted by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4′ | San Diego Wave FC | Lia Godfrey (6) | Trinity Byars (4) |
| 22′ | San Diego Wave FC | Gia Corley (3) | |
| 52′ PK | Orlando Pride | Barbara Banda (16) |
Misconduct Summary:
| Minute | Team | Player | Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90’+1′ | Orlando Pride | Oihane Hernández | Yellow |
| 90’+7′ | Orlando Pride | Barbara Banda | Yellow |
Boxscore:
| Team | S | SOG | Saves | Corners | Fouls | Offsides | Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando Pride | 11 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 39% |
| San Diego Wave FC | 15 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 61% |
Orlando Pride Lineup: GK Cosette Morché, D Hailie Mace (Kerry Abello 71’), D Hannah Anderson, D Cori Dyke, D Oihane Hernández, M Angelina (Summer Yates 64’), M Ally Lemos, M Haley McCutcheon ©, F Jacqueline Ovalle (Marta 64’), F Solai Washington (Sanne Levken 64’), F Barbra Banda
Unused Substitutes: GK Cara Martin, D Rafaelle, D Zara Chavoshi, M Julie Doyle, M Luana
Head Coach: Yolanda Thomas
San Diego Wave FC Lineup: GK Sandra Paños, D Perle Morroni, D Kristen McNabb, D Kennedy Wesley, D Mimi Van Zanten (Brooklyn Courtnall 85’), M Kimmi Ascanio, M Kenza Dali ©, M Gia Corley (Ludmila 59’), F Lia Godfrey (Laurina Fazer 59’), F Melanie Barcenas (Barbara Bonansea 78’), F Trinity Byars
Unused Substitutes: GK Didi Haračić, D Nya Harrison, M Laila Harbert, M Tatum Wynalda, M Gabi Portilho, F Gabi Portilho
Head Coach: Jonas Eidevall
Attendance: 8,672
