San Diego Wave lose 1-0 in first-round of NWSL playoffs

By Josh Frojelin

The San Diego Wave FC lost 1-0 to Utah Royals FC in last Friday’s quarterfinals of the NWSL playoffs. It was a hard pill to swallow considering San Diego finished second in the NWSL regular season and dominated possession throughout the game.

In the fifth minute, hometown 19-year-old phenom Melanie Barcenas received a great cross right in front of the net. Unfortunately, her header went directly at Utah goalikeeper Mandy McGlynn.

“We had really good chances, especially in the first half, even some in the second half, and we didn’t put those away,” Wave captain Kennedy Wesley said. “It is a different game if Mel’s header goes in … The game could have been very different.”

San Diego had 63 percent of possession during the game. The Wave out-shot Utah 16-6 (5-2 on target), had seven more corner kicks than their opposition and completed more than twice as many passes as Utah. 

On a counter attack in the 30th minute, Kiana Palacios tallied the only goal of the match. The Wave pressed for the remaining 60 minutes, but couldn’t convert. Co-captain Kenza Dali didn’t put much stock into the metrics that San Diego clearly dominated.

“They won tonight,” she said. “If they won, it means that they deserved it. Statistics, shots on target, possession (don’t) mean anything at the end of the day. They scored the goal that they needed to score. We didn’t. We’re out.”

Despite a marked improvement in the standings this season, a seven-game unbeaten streak entering the postseason, and beating Utah twice during the regular season, San Diego has the same result as last season: a first-round exit.

“The football we have been playing this season, honestly, it’s made me so proud,” head coach Jonas Eidevall said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of a team playing better football than this, which is testament to all the players and the staff working so hard, and believing in the way that we want to do things. And honestly, it’s just been pure joy to be a part of to to see a group of players that can express themselves like that.”

The Wave went 18-8-4 on the season, and received key contributions down the stretch from teenagers Barcenas and Kimmi Ascanio. There’s a lot to look forward to for Wave fans.

“There’s so many things that I’m very, very proud of here, but of course I also feel empty sitting here now,” Eidevall said. “The plan for next week was (preparing for) the semifinal.”

A Snapdragon Stadium crowd of 12,638 saw the Wave close out its season short of its goal.

NWSL QUARTERFINAL PLAYOFFS

Friday, Nov. 6
 (7) Utah Royals 1, (2) San Diego Wave 0

Saturday, Nov. 7
 (4) Kansas City Current 1, (5) Angel City 0

Sunday, Nov. 8
 (3) Washington Spirit 4, (6) Portland Thorns 1
 (1) Gotham FC 1, (8) Seattle Reign 0

NWSL SEMIFINAL PLAYOFFS
 Saturday, Nov. 14
 (7) Utah Royals at (3) Washington Spirit

Sunday, Nov. 15
 (4) Kansas City Current at (1) Gotham FC

NWSL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Saturday, Nov. 21
 Utah-Washington winner vs. Gotham-Kansas City winner