SAN DIEGO — After a month-long international break, the Wave FC return to action on Independence Day, hoping for fireworks in their favor against Gotham FC.
Here’s the reminder of how the Wave are doing almost half-way through the season.
First, the Wave FC are No. 1 in the NWSL standings after playing 13 of 30 regular-season games, with eight wins, four losses, and one tie.
However, the NWSL’s schedule means that only two teams (Wave FC and Portland Thorns) have played 13 games, while six teams have played 12 and eight teams have only played 11.
Because the teams have played a different number of games, a useful metric is points per game. The Utah Royals have two points per game, the Wave 1.92, and the Washington Spirit and Gotham FC have 1.91 each. The other teams have .64 - 1.85 ppg.
The Wave FC lead the league in accurate shooting (57%) and passing (83%), and are well above the next-place team on number of accurate passes made (5246 vs Gotham’s 4479). The Wave have been called offside 35 times while the next closest is 25. Some of these calls could be considered tactical and expected given the aggressive attacking offense of the Wave.
Credit: Dakota Gray
The July 4 Matchup at a Glance
Who: Wave FC (8-4-1) vs. Gotham FC (6-2-3)
When: Saturday, July 4 @ 5:45 p.m. PT
Where: Snapdragon Stadium
Watch: ION
Tickets: Buy tickets here
This game is the first time the teams have played in the 2026 season. Former Wave FC players Jaedyn Shaw and Savannah McCaskill play for Gotham FC. During the international break, the Wave FC signed goalkeeper Sandra Paños from Club América of Liga MX Femenil and parted ways with defender Daniela Arias.
Top photo credit: Dakota Gray
