From Chaos to Stability
When Jonas Eidevall was named the Wave FC’s head coach on January 7, he took over a team in the throes of massive turnover and disappointment: The 2024 squad (6-13-7) finished tenth of 14, churned through three head coaches, and saw fan favorites Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, and Naomi Girma - to name three - depart.
Behind the scenes, there were also unknowns: Camille Ashton replaced sporting manager and GM Molly Downtain, Jill Ellis stepped down as president, and the club came under new ownership from Lauren Leichtman and Arthur Levine of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
It would have been easy for Eidevall to chalk up the 2025 season to rebuilding and slow progress.
Instead, and remarkably, the team (8-3-5) has flourished with an aggressive, exciting style of play that has landed them in second place and in contention for the NWSL Shield. Of course, winning the shield will take a combination of a strong final ten games of their own and, yes, a massive downfall from first place KC Current (13-2-1), but there’s reason to believe.
Here’s why:
A Balanced, Relentless Attack
The Wave have turned into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams. They rank second in goals scored (28) despite a three-game drought when the team only scored once around the international break.
Scoring is also spread across the roster: Adriana Leon and Kimmi Ascanio lead with four goals apiece, while Maria Sanchez, Kenza Dali, and Delphine Cascarino each have three. A league-leading 14 different players have found the net — including five defenders.
That balance carries into playmaking, too. The Wave lead the league in assists (22), with 10 different players registering at least one. Cascarino’s five are tied for the league lead, while Perle Morroni has four.
Passing and Possession
Teamwork has been central to the Wave’s resurgence. They dominate the league in passes attempted (8,142), passes completed (7,011), and passing accuracy (85%).
Eidevall points to leadership in midfield as the glue:
“Kenza (Dali) is … a bridge… she connects between the old and the young, between the defending line and the forward line. These connecting players are so important to have because that means we can speak a common language on the pitch and she is doing that very well.”
Consistency in the Lineup
Five players — Cascarino, Dali, Savannah McCaskill, Morroni, and Kailen Sheridan — have started every game this year, the most in the NWSL. That continuity has translated into stability and confidence on the pitch.
The Wave also lead the league in shot-on-target percentage (58%). While they don’t take as many shots overall as most (10th of 14 teams), their efficiency makes them one of the most dangerous sides in the league.
Comparison to Past Seasons
This year’s Wave team also measures up well historically. They’ve already won the same or higher percentage of matches (50%) than in any prior season, and their loss rate (19%) is well below even their successful inaugural 2022 and Shield-winning 2023 seasons.
Their scoring average (1.75 goals per game) far outpaces those earlier teams (1.45). While they concede slightly more goals than before, their explosive attack more than compensates.
The Offside Factor
One stat that stands out: the Wave lead the league in offside calls (34). That number can be read two ways.
On one hand, offsides are expected when running a bold, attacking style — pushing defenses, seeking space, and looking for breakthroughs. On the other hand, too many careless moves can stall momentum.
For now, the Wave’s aggressive approach suggests this is a feature, not a flaw.
Eidevall’s Measured Mindset
Despite the success, Eidevall keeps his players focused on the task at hand:
“Every game lives its own life. …The league position does not matter… It is a very even league… For us, it’s great (to earn) three points, … but now we have to prepare for Louisville, and that’s the mindset we need to have: next game, next game, next game.”
Looking Ahead
Whether or not the Wave capture the NWSL Shield, the turnaround has been extraordinary. From the turmoil of 2024 to one of the league’s most balanced and exciting sides in 2025, Wave FC have already exceeded expectations — and proven they're much stronger than many predicted.
