Wave FC returns to Snapdragon Stadium Friday night for a rematch against the Kansas City Current, with both teams looking to gain ground in the tightly packed NWSL standings. San Diego enters the match in fourth place with 42 points and a 13W-8L-3D record, while Kansas City sits seventh with 38 points and an 11-5-8 record. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

The teams last met in mid-July, when they played to a 2-2 draw in Kansas City. San Diego controlled more of the possession in that matchup, while Trinity Byars scored both of the Wave’s goals. Byars, with 10 goals this season, and Melanie Barcenas, with six, will be players to watch on Friday.

Kansas City has a familiar scoring threat of its own in Temwa Chawinga, who also has 10 goals this season. The matchup between Chawinga and Byars gives both teams a dangerous attacking option as they look to take advantage of scoring chances.

San Diego’s scoring has also become more spread out in recent games, with players like Kenza Dali and Gia Corley finding the back of the net. Corley scored her first goal of the season against North Carolina, while Dali has also contributed offensively as the Wave have looked for more players to create and finish chances. With multiple attacking options capable of scoring, San Diego will look to make it difficult for Kansas City to focus on stopping just one player.

The Wave will also head into Friday with several recent roster updates. Catarina Macario was placed on the season-ending injury list, while Tatum Wynalda signed a one-year contract extension that will keep her with San Diego through the 2027 season. San Diego also acquired Italian forward Barbara Bonansea on loan from Juventus F.C. Women. Bonansea brings extensive experience to the Wave after becoming Juventus’ all-time appearance leader and recording nearly 100 goals across all competitions.

San Diego enters Friday with a D-W-W-L-W record over its last five matches, while Kansas City is L-D-W-W-D. The Wave have come into their own at home, winning the most recent three matches at Snapdragon Stadium, making it an important advantage as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.

The all-time series, however, significantly favors Kansas City. Across the nine games played, the Current have won six and drawn two, with San Diego’s lone win coming in 2023. Friday’s match gives the Wave an opportunity to close that gap while earning three points against a team they drew earlier this season.

With the standings so close, the result could have a major impact on the playoff race. Just four points separate San Diego and Kansas City, and a win could move either team several places depending on results elsewhere in the league.

For San Diego, continuing to control possession and create chances like it did in the previous meeting will be important. The Wave will also look to their attack to finish those opportunities and avoid another draw against the Current.

Friday’s matchup gives San Diego a chance to protect its home field, build on its recent form and make another push up the standings.