What Went Wrong With the San Diego Wave This Season?

October 8, 2024
By Tiffani Arnold

The San Diego Wave has had a less-than-ideal six months since the start of the season. Beginning in March, the team has experienced five wins, seven draws, and 11 losses, ranking them tenth in the NWSL league out of 14 teams. The season hasn’t gone as most would have hoped, especially when they made their mark at the start of the season by claiming the NWSL shield in 2023 and winning the one-off 2024 NWSL Challenge cup against NJ/NY Gotham. And yet, with all of their prior wins, there are some key factors as to why the San Diego team hasn’t currently been able to replicate the success of the past two prior years.

A Change of Coaches: Playing Styles

The major news of head coach Casey Stoney‘s mid-season replacement surprised most. On June 24th of this year, it was announced that the coach would be “parting ways” with the team and would be replaced by interim manager Paul Buckle, who then became current interim coach Landon Donovan. The change had a significant impact on the team. These directional changes, adjustments to their flow, and coaching style may not have been an easy transition.

With each coach comes a new playing style and formation that players must become accustomed to. In past seasons with Stoney, it was observed that her form leaned more towards a defensive style of playing, relying often on the back line and goalie to lead the ball forward. With a solid defense consisting of Girma and Sheridan, this may have been a great tactic, but as has been often seen, key players are more successful if not relied on solely.

The Wave team is a roster of stacked talent from defense to forwards. With players like (formerly) Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, Naomi Girma, Delphine Cascarino, María Sanchez, and Melanie Barcenas, there is no shortage of talent and skills. There may have been a shortage of how these talents were being used on the field. Were they being used in the best way? The constant shifting of overhead direction and on-field decisions may have led the team into some rough spots this season.

The team’s talents have had glimmers to shine throughout the season, possibly peeking out through their own abilities, smarts, and moments of player chemistry. However, the team’s potential has more than likely yet to be met in respect to the skilled roster.

Player Injuries and Olympic Duty

Many outside factors contributed to the Wave’s season, including injuries to high-profile players. Jaedyn Shaw was injured during her Olympic training in the summer, and Alex Morgan was out for four months during the season due to injury. The absence of these key players required restructuring the starting lineup and filling in the gaps of those missing players. Player gaps also occurred due to Olympic duty by National Team players Girma and Shaw.

Departure of Key Players: Alex Morgan, Abby Dahlkemper, Sofia Jakobsson

With Alex Morgan’s retirement and the trading of Abby Dahlkempber and Sofia Jakobsson, the team has undergone a restructuring from the top down. Though these players left holes to fill, the team has been finding ways to fill them. It’s possible that this season’s changes are being felt by the team all at once and, in some cases, by more members than others.

Despite these challenges, the players have displayed hopeful moments throughout the season. These high moments, combined with the team’s tenacity and skill, hint at a more optimistic future for the Wave.