The last time the San Diego Wave and Racing Louisville met, the Wave stormed into Lynn Family Stadium in Kentucky and walked away with a dominant 4-1 victory.
But in their latest clash at Snapdragon Stadium, Louisville arrived with revenge on their mind.
And they got it.
After their August 9 match against Angel City FC resulted in their third consecutive draw, the frustration in San Diego was palpable. However, a 2-1 road win over Bay FC last week seemed like a breakthrough moment, a chance to reset and regain momentum. Back at home against Louisville, the Wave hoped to build on that result and put their recent struggles behind them.
But Louisville wasn’t about to go down as easily as they did in their first matchup.
While Louisville’s sharper performance played a key role in the final score, the most striking takeaway for San Diego was the nagging sense of déjà vu. They controlled nearly every statistical category but once again failed to secure a winning result, something that has now happened in four of their last five games.
Despite generating chance after chance in the attack, the Wave couldn’t finish. Missed opportunities inside the box, coupled with a standout performance from Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer, kept San Diego scoreless. Then, in the 59th minute, Emma Sears broke through for Louisville with the lone goal of the match. The goal proved to be lone score of the game, resulting in another frustrating ending for the Wave.
On the surface, San Diego’s position in the league still looks secure. They currently sit third in the NWSL standings, well within playoff contention and even in line for potential home-field advantage. But a deeper look at their season raises concerns. Beyond their recent scoring struggles, the Wave have also faltered against top-tier competition. Their April 19 victory over Louisville remains their only win this year against a team with a winning record. While their playoff spot isn’t in jeopardy, their ability to perform against elite opponents is very much in question.
Head coach Jonas Eidevall, however, isn’t sounding alarms. Asked about team morale after another tough result, he answered simply, “Strong.”
Still, he acknowledged the team's recent shortcomings, adding, “We have to look to ourselves. There are many things we can do better, and that’s where our focus needs to be.”
The Wave remain one of the league’s most talented squads, fully capable of making a deep playoff run. But Eidevall and his staff know that to compete with top clubs like the Kansas City Current in the postseason, improvements are necessary. San Diego remains firmly in playoff position, yet this loss to Louisville highlights the need for greater consistency, and more goals, if they hope to prove they belong among the league’s elite.
Sitting at 8 wins, 4 losses, and 5 draws, San Diego will look to bounce back next Friday, August 29, when they visit Seattle Reign FC at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PST.