San Diego Wave FC (7-6-3, 27 points) defeated the Orlando Pride (7-9-1, 22 points) with a 2-1 victory on Friday night at Exploria Stadium. 

San Diego opened the scoring in the seventh minute when midfielder Jaedyn Shaw served in a corner kick to the back post that fell to forward Alex Morgan. Morgan’s shot was deflected and fell to defender Abby Dahlkemper, who took a touch and fired a half volley that ricocheted off the top post and into the back of the net.

Orlando pulled one back in the 44th minute by way of Brazilian international Adriana but San Diego pulled ahead in the 75th minute. Forward Kyra Carusa scored the game-winner to notch her first career NWSL goal in just her second appearance since signing with the Wave on Aug. 16. Midfielder Makenzy Doniak hit a corner kick that found the head of Carusa and the San Diego native perfectly timed the ball to head it into the net to secure the road win for the Wave. 

Next on the schedule: San Diego Wave FC returns home to Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 3, to host the Houston Dash for the club’s World Cup Welcome Back match at 5:00 p.m. PT. The first 10,000 fans through the stadium gates will receive a limited-edition World Cup Waves Bucket Hat. Tickets for the match are available here. 

TICKETS: WORLD CUP WELCOME BACK!

Notes:

  • The win moves San Diego Wave FC into second-place in the standings with 27 points. 
  • Defender Abby Dahlkemper scored her first goal of the season and first non-penalty goal in her NWSL career (137 appearances). Dahlkemper’s last regular season goal was a penalty kick in Sept. 2016.
  • Forward Kyra Carusa scored her first NWSL goal just nine days after signing with the Wave and coming off her first FIFA World Cup with Ireland. Carusa is from San Diego and was a 2014 graduate of Del Norte High School. 
  • Defender Naomi Girma returned to the starting lineup for San Diego for the first time since June 24. Girma was with the U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup where the 2022 NWSL Defender and Rookie of the Year started and played every minute for the United States.
  • Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan started for the Wave after returning from the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup. The Canadian international surpassed 10,000 NWSL career minutes with her start tonight.
  • San Diego and NWSL players showed support and solidarity for Spain player Jenni Hermoso following the actions of Luis Rubiales by writing “Contigo Jenni” on their wrists. A video of the players showing their support can be found here.

Box Score:
San Diego Wave FC 2:1 Orlando Pride

Scoring Summary:
SD – Dahlkemper (1) 7’
ORL – Leal da Silva (4) (Marta 3)  44’
SD – Carusa (1) (Doniak 2) 75’

Misconduct Summary:
ORL – Bright (Caution) 59’
SD – Hill (Caution) 81’
SD – Casey Stoney (Red Card) 89’

San Diego Wave FC: GK Sheridan, D Riehl, D Westphal, D Dahlkemper, D Girma, M Dougherty-Howard (Enge 62’), M Colaprico, M Hill, M Shaw (Carusa 62’), F Doniak (Pogarch 78’), F Morgan ©

Subs not used: GK Yáñez, M Briede, M DeMarco, F Barcenas, D Cortez, D Ali

Orlando Pride: GK Moorehouse, D McCutcheon, D Souza, D Madril, D Strom (Watt 82’), M Villacorta (Cluff 46’), M Vieira da Silva ©, M Abello (Listro 46’), D Leal da Silva, F Doyle, F Bright (Larroquette 69’)

Subs not used: GK Nelson, M Tymrak, D Delgado, D Montefusco, F Yates

Stats Summary: ORL / SD
Shots: 17 / 8
Shots on Target: 6 / 5
Saves: 3 / 5
Corners: 8 / 2
Fouls: 16 / 13
Offsides: 0 / 3
Possession: 52.4% / 47.6%