San Diego Wave push towards playoffs after draw with Washington Spirit

SAN DIEGO -- Kirsten McNabb and the Wave ended a rollercoaster of a night against the Spirit with a 1-1 draw on Sunday. McNabb’s equalizer aided by María Sánchez put the Wave back on the board after she scored an own goal in the first half. 

San Diego had played against Washington at home, the second time the clubs met this summer. Last time, the match was in the nation’s capital, resulting in a 1-1 draw also assisted by Sánchez. San Diego remains winless in their past 11 regular season games despite winning the NSWL Shield title in 2023. 

Sunday night wasn't the strongest performance for San Diego offensively but it did re-cement its powerful defense. For the first half of the match, the Wave displayed a lack of offensive attack and couldn't create anything dangerous enough to capitalize off of. 

There were missed connections and poor transitions that allowed Washington to block San Diego's runs. However, they were able to create high presses against the Spirit.

San Diego's fans saw a familiar faces on the pitch as Naomi Girma made her first appearance with the team since the Olympics and Delphine Cascarino made her first start in the NWSL. 

Much of the opening third saw the Spirit struggle to break into the Wave's box. In the 20th minute, forward Trinity Rodman drew an offsides ruling after trying to execute her well-known ‘Trin Spin’ near midfield to spur on an attacking try for Washington. 

Moments later in the 24' San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan put a stop to a solid attempt by forward Ouleye Sarr. Then in the 27' the Wave was saved by the bar as Spirit midfield Leicy Santos fired off the crossbar from the top of the box. 

In the 30' an unfortunate sequence led to the Spirit breaking the scoring stalemate. Wave defender Kennedy Wesley attempted to clear the ball out of the box but it ricocheted off another McNabb and went straight into the back of the net. The own goal put Washington ahead, leading the match until the 68' when McNabb made a redemption shot to secure a draw. 

Midway through the second half McNabb once again found the back of the net. This time, the University of Virginia alum's goal counted for her team, putting the Wave back on the scoreboard. Sánchez had sent the ball curving off a corner kick to the feet of McNabb who wasted no time to shoot past goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. 

With fans taking a breath of relief, the Wave's defense managed to deny the Spirit's final attempts at a win. Sheridan maintained the leveled score level in the 71' after a short corner played to Rodman crossed into the box. Santos had attempted to head the ball into the back post, but Sheridan was able to smack it away for a corner kick. 

Though it's not the result the team preferred, Sunday night marks the first point scored under new interim head coach Landon Donovan. It's also a reminder of the Wave's defensive power. In none of the three matches between the two teams this season did San Diego ever allow Rodman, one of the best scorers in the league, to score. 

They also put a stop to Washington's winning streak on the road. The Wave's performance shows growth defensively but also highlights the lack of cohesion and organization on the offense. At times it seemed like players weren't on the same page and some moments weren't utilized the way they should have been. 

"We have to build on our performance at home and we have unbelievable players.. we know that we underperformed this year," said McNabb after her final goal. 

"Our press was better than last week. We created a lot of solid opportunities so the progress has been phenomenal," said Donovan, "I really wanted them to win the game because they deserve that now and it's unfortunate the way we conceded the goal but I'm really happy with where the group is at." 

Next Sunday San Diego (3-7-8, 16) hosts the North Carolina Courage (9-1-8, 28 points) at Snapdragon Stadium where the Wave will aim for their fourth win of the regular season.