It’s called Rivalry Night for a reason. Angel City FC and Wave FC, the two NWSL teams hailing from Southern California, will face off Saturday for the tenth time during the NWSL regular season. Their head-to-head record? Three wins, three losses and three draws.
Let’s break it down.
Most recently, Angel City and Wave played in Los Angeles on May 9. The Wave won 2-1 with goals from Dudinha and defender Mimi Van Zanten. Emily Sams scored for Angel City.
After 14 games, Wave FC (9-4-1) is No. 1 in the NWSL and is tied for first in points per game. They also won their first game back after the break, 2-0 against Gotham FC. Dudinha (5 goals, 4 assists), Lia Godfrey (4 goals, 4 assists), Trinity Byars (4 goals, 0 assists), and Melanie Barcenas (3 goals, 0 assists), lead the Wave offensively, although Dudinha is now out with a season-ending ACL injury that occurred in a friendly against the United States.
Defensively, they are one of only four teams who have given up less than one goal per game, despite having rotated through three goalkeepers. Last week, Colombian Luisa Agudelo started in goal and finished with a clean sheet against Gotham.
After 12 games, Angel City (5-1-6) sits in ninth place in both total points and in points per game (1.33). The offense is led by Sveindís Jónsdóttir (4 goals, 2 assists), Maiara Niehues (4 goals, 0 assists), and Gisele Thompson (3 goals, 1 assist). The team won their first game back after the International Break over Orlando Pride, 2-0.
Between then and now, both teams have had some major changes.
Beginning with Angel City, the team parted ways with head coach Alex Straus on June 17. Reports indicated that he was well-liked among the players, but the team had been struggling on the pitch for a while. Leif Smerud was named Interim Head Coach while the team searches for a replacement.
U.S. women’s national team forward Ally Sentnor joined Angel City on June 18 via a trade from the Kansas City Current. Sentnor earned 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year award, and so the expectations are high that she can contribute to an improved season.
The Wave are without Dudinha for the remainder of the season. The team signed goalkeeper Sandra Paños from Club América of Liga MX Femenil on June 10, while on March 27, the team acquired U.S. Women’s National Team forward Catarina Macario via transfer from Chelsea FC. Neither players has suited up for the Wave.
Wave defender Perle Morroni.
The July 11 Matchup at a Glance
Who: Wave FC (9-4-1) vs. Angel City FC (516)
When: Saturday, July 11 @ 5:45 p.m. PT
Where: Snapdragon Stadium
Watch: ION
Tickets: Buy tickets here
Promotion: Beach Towel Giveaway
Top photo credit: Sandra’s Sports Shots
