SAN DIEGO – Wave FC defeated the Kansas City Current 2-0 Friday night at Snapdragon Stadium, extending its unbeaten streak at home to five games. After a scoreless first half, San Diego took the lead on a Kansas City own goal in the 50th minute before Kennedy Wesley headed home a Kenza Dali free kick in stoppage time to seal the win.

San Diego entered the match with Mimi Van Zanten back in the starting lineup after serving her suspension from a red card she received against Seattle. Van Zanten was tasked with marking Kansas City forward Temwa Chawinga, who entered the match with 10 goals on the season.

The Wave also kept the adjustments in attack from last game, with Lia Godfrey playing in a more advanced position and Kimmi Ascanio, Gia Corley and Kenza Dali starting together in midfield. Adriana Leon was unavailable due to injury.

Kansas City came out aggressively, creating an early chance in the fourth minute that forced Sandra Paños into a diving save. The Current continued to send crosses into the box throughout the first half, but Paños consistently came off her line to collect them.

San Diego created chances of its own. In the 11th minute, Dali played a through ball to Trinity Byars, who nearly finished from the side of the box with a shot toward the bottom corner.

The Wave’s midfield continued to connect with short passes, helping San Diego control possession and move the ball around Kansas City’s pressure. Dali, Ascanio and Corley were particularly effective at combining in the middle of the field.

“When you're on the same page with players like that I think it's much easier,” Dali said. “I love playing with her [Kimmi Ascanio] and Gia... We built this relationship on the training ground for months and months and months and when we play like this, it's perfect.”

The defensive work also came from throughout the lineup. At one point, Van Zanten pushed forward into the attack, prompting Byars and Ascanio to drop back and help defend Chawinga before winning the ball back.

San Diego nearly opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Corley broke forward and crossed toward Byars, who had an open look at goal. The ball hit Byars’ foot awkwardly, and the chance went wide.

Both teams continued to create opportunities, but neither could break through before halftime. San Diego held 64% possession and completed more than 100 additional passes than Kansas City, while also finishing with a higher passing accuracy. The Wave recorded nine shots and three on target, compared with 10 shots and two on target for the Current.

Ludmila entered at halftime for Byars as San Diego looked for a different attacking option in the second half. Eidevall said the substitution was intended to give the Wave a stronger option to attack the space behind Kansas City’s defensive line.

“They were so aggressive with their back line and we needed to make sure we had a really strong outlet that we can play the ball to in behind to create space,” Eidevall said.

The Wave finally found the breakthrough in the 50th minute. Corley’s pressure helped force Kansas City into a difficult situation, while Barcenas sent the ball into the box. The ball ultimately deflected off Kansas City’s Laney Rouse and into the net for an own goal, giving San Diego a 1-0 lead.

San Diego continued to protect its lead as Kansas City searched for an equalizer. Corley was replaced by Gabi Portilho in the 66th minute, while Brooklyn Courtnall entered for Van Zanten and Laila Harbert replaced Godfrey in the 80th minute.

The Wave had another opportunity late in the match when Portilho was fouled just outside the box. The foul initially appeared as though it could result in a penalty kick, but the contact was ruled to have occurred outside the penalty area.

Rouse, who was already on a yellow card, received a second yellow for the foul and was sent off, leaving Kansas City with 10 players.

Dali stepped up to take the resulting free kick from just outside the side of the box. From a difficult angle, she sent the ball toward the far side of the goal, where Wesley rose above the defense and headed it into the net in the first minute of stoppage time.

The goal gave San Diego a 2-0 lead and capped another strong defensive performance from Wesley and Kristen McNabb, who repeatedly cleared dangerous crosses and helped keep Kansas City from finding the back of the net.

Wesley credited her partnership with McNabb for helping San Diego maintain its defensive consistency.

“She makes playing easier,” Wesley said. “She does her job with the most composure and grace and I think playing next to someone that you know is going to get her job done week in and week out makes it so much easier for you to just focus on your own job.”

Wesley said the pair’s ability to anticipate each other’s decisions has continued to improve throughout the season.

“I think the two of us being able to read off of each other's decisions and actions has been really positive and something that we're still continuing to grow in,” Wesley said. “She is a dream center back to play with.”

Wesley also praised Paños for the impact she has made since joining the Wave, particularly with her communication and experience.

“She has fit in so well, we've been so happy with how she's really bought into our style of play,” Wesley said. “Along with her experience has gone such a long way. She has a good understanding of when the game needs to be sped up and when it needs to be slowed down. She's always given us instruction from behind.”

“All of those things together has given us a lot of success in recent games,” Wesley added.

Tatum Wynalda entered for Barcenas in the 92nd minute as San Diego closed out the victory.

Kansas City finished the match with 14 shots and four on target, while San Diego had 15 shots with four on target.

With the win, San Diego improved to 14-3-8 on the season and moved to 45 points. The Wave also extended their unbeaten streak at Snapdragon Stadium to five games, winning each of their last four home matches.

The victory gave San Diego three points against a Kansas City team it drew 2-2 earlier this season and continued the Wave’s strong run of results at home.