SAN DIEGO – After a month-long international break and a season-ending ACL injury to top scorer Dudinha, questions arose about whether Wave FC could meet the moment. While competing for the Brazil national team on June 6, Dudinha tore her ACL and was placed on the season-ending injury list, a designation that will keep San Diego without its star forward for the rest of the 2026 season. On Saturday, in her absence, head coach Jonas Eidevall elevated forward Melanie Barcenas to the starting lineup.
The first-place Wave also faced a stiff test in Gotham FC, the stingiest defense in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Going into Saturday's game, Gotham FC had conceded a league-best five goals.
Wave FC answered those questions with a statement win. San Diego (9-1-4) returned to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday evening and defeated Gotham FC (6-3-3), 2-0.
To start the game, both teams had opportunities to score. Each team had two shots on target and multiple shots blocked. Just as it looked like the first half would end scoreless, Barcenas scored from distance off a perfectly placed pass from defender Kennedy Wesley in the 45th minute, Wesley's first assist of her professional career. That put the Wave up 1-0 going into the locker room at halftime.
"I think us showing that we can finish the first half strong and getting a late goal in the first half is important," Barcenas said. "It sets us off on a good start for the second half."
San Diego started the second half aggressively, with three shots on target in the first 11 minutes from three different players: Gia Corley, Gabi Portilho, and Ludmila.
To maintain the aggressive offense with fresh legs, Eidevall began making substitutions throughout the second half. Lia Godfrey and Tatum Wynalda subbed in for Corley and Portilho, respectively, in the 61st minute. Eight minutes later, Trinity Armstrong and Laurina Fazer subbed in for Mimi Van Zanten and Barcenas, while in the 82nd minute, Trinity Byars came in for Ludmila. Armstrong's return marked her first time on the pitch this season after recovering from an injury.
The Wave celebrate their ninth win of the season. Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
The second half remained scoreless until the official announced seven minutes of added time. With Gotham goalkeeper Ann Berger out of the goal area, Byars found the back of the net off a series of passes from midfielders Godfrey and Wynalda. Godfrey was credited with her fourth assist of the season while Byars scored her fourth goal.
Byars's goal in the 93rd minute sealed the victory for the Wave and preserved the shutout. Wave FC goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo made her NWSL debut, earning the start and a clean sheet in Saturday's match.
During the 2025 season, Eidevall made a point to describe players who do not start as game changers rather than bench players, referencing the team's depth. The description is apt. This season, San Diego has scored six goals from substitutes, the most of any team in the NWSL, and Saturday's game was no different. The second goal was scored and assisted by game changers Byars and Godfrey, respectively.
"Getting a shutout was amazing, especially against a top team like Gotham," said defender Trinity Armstrong. "That was really important and special for us."
With their ninth win in 14 games, the Wave solidified themselves atop the NWSL standings with 28 points. They're also tied for the lead in points per game at 2.0 with Washington Spirit and Utah Royals, who have played only 12 games each.
Next Up
The Wave will take on their southern California rival, Angel City FC, on July 11 at home. San Diego beat Angel City earlier this season and looks to take the season series. Stream the game on ION or purchase tickets here.
Top Photo: Miguel Mejia/Miguel Mejia Photography
