SAN DIEGO - San Diego Wave FC's postseason came to an end Friday night after a 1-0 loss to Utah Royals in the NWSL quarterfinals at Snapdragon Stadium. Despite controlling much of the match and creating several chances, the Wave couldn't find the back of the net as Utah goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn delivered a strong performance to preserve the shutout.
The No. 2 seed Wave entered the knockout match looking to build on a second-place regular-season finish and their perfect 6-0-0 record against No. 7 Utah. However, the Royals found the breakthrough in the 30th minute when Kiana Palacios scored her fifth goal of the season. San Diego struggled to mark Utah's attackers in the box, allowing Palacios enough space to put the visitors ahead.
San Diego created opportunities early, with Melanie Barcenas nearly scoring a header within the first five minutes. Goalkeeper Sandra Paños also kept the Wave in the match in the 16th minute, making an impressive save on an open shot following a cross into the box.
The Wave continued to push forward, using their possession to create chances through crosses and attacking runs. Perle Morroni nearly found the equalizer with a cross in first-half stoppage time that drifted toward goal, but McGlynn managed to tip it over the crossbar.
San Diego entered halftime trailing 1-0 despite holding 62% possession and recording eight shots, four of which were on target. Utah had six shots with two on target.
The Wave continued applying pressure after the break, making an attacking change in the 60th minute as Ludmila replaced Lia Godfrey. Ludmila nearly made an immediate impact one minute later, getting on the end of a cross but unable to generate enough power on her attempt.
Gia Corley also created several opportunities throughout the match, providing a strong presence on the outside and consistently finding ways to move the ball forward. San Diego continued to threaten, but McGlynn came up with another save to deny Corley's attempt from a difficult angle.
Perle Morroni. Credit: Wave FC Media
The Wave made additional attacking changes in the 78th minute, bringing on Laurina Fazer and Barbara Bonansea for Barcenas and Laila Harbert. Bonansea nearly found an equalizer from distance in the 89th minute, but her shot curled just wide of the goal.
San Diego continued pushing during seven minutes of second-half stoppage time. Kenza Dali took a free kick from outside the box in the 94th minute, but McGlynn collected the attempt. Another free kick followed shortly after, but Utah's goalkeeper again kept the Wave off the scoreboard.
Utah received four yellow cards in the second half as it worked to protect its lead. Despite finishing with 63% possession, 16 shots and five on target, San Diego couldn't convert its opportunities. The Wave also completed 477 passes compared with Utah's 287, but the Royals made their chances count.
Following the match, head coach Jonas Eidevall reflected on the team's performance and the quality of soccer they had played throughout the season.
“I don't think I've been a part of a team playing better fútbol than this,” Eidevall said.
He also spoke about the experience of working with the team and what made this season meaningful.
“It's been pure joy to be a part of, and to see a group of players that can express themselves like that...I think we've brought something different to the NWSL and we've been successful with that as well, and now we intend to continue that journey. There's so many things that I'm very proud of here, but of course it also feels very empty sitting here now,” Eidevall said.
Captain Kennedy Wesley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing how close the match came down to small details. “It came down to the margins and details and it just didn't go our way this time but ultimately I am so so proud of this team and all that we put into today but for the last 30 games as well,” Wesley said.
Despite the quarterfinal loss, San Diego finishes its season after a second-place regular-season campaign with 58 points and an 18W-8L-4D record. The Wave's playoff run ends earlier than they had hoped, but Eidevall's comments reflect the pride the team can take from what it accomplished throughout the season.
