A hungry Seattle Reign side exposed San Diego Wave’s aesthetic tiki-taka tactics on Friday night as the visitors celebrated their third win in five matches with a convincing 2-1 victory.
In tandem, a lazy Wave defense, growing complacent after securing a league-leading six-game unbeaten streak, reached its breaking point as scrappy Reign playmaking won the day. The defensive stagnation was somewhat surprising in the context of the Wave's link-up play in their previous match against the North Carolina Courage.
In a post-game presser following the dominant 5-2 victory, head coach Jonas Eidevall explained that each opponent brings in a different game plan.
“We have to take that a little bit as a compliment that they feel they need to do that,” Eidevall said. “But it's also good for us because we need to solve more situations.”
Unfortunately, the Wave could not find such a solution on Friday. The Reign were happy to let their opponents play their possession game, as all four defenders struggled to find a pass out of the back. Sloppy last-ditch passes, including a Hanna Lundkvist whiffed clearance that did not exit the 18-yard box, provided several scoring opportunities for Seattle. The Reign’s shooting inefficiency, scoring just nine goals in ten games, saved these mishaps.
The hosts ended up relying on individual prowess to get the ball up. Long balls over the top from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan — a surprisingly effective tool that the team should utilize going forward — helped relieve the pressure momentarily.
Furthermore, Delphine Cascarino, an ever-bright spot for this already strong Wave squad, placed the team on her back from the first minute. The French national owned every inch of the right sideline — at one point finessing her way down from deep SD territory to the Reign’s 18-yard box.
The French connection was on full display on Friday, with Cascarino setting up chances for Kenza Dali and Perle Morroni. Cascarino continued to create chances throughout her 90-minute stint, firing in promising crosses and shots that nearly secured points at many moments.
Cascarino was not the only one having her way down the right side. The Reign too fell into an even more standoffish defense that allowed the Wave free entry into the box for dangerous crosses. However the ease bred a certain trepidation from the Wave players, who searched for perfect opportunities instead of taking the lightly-contested chances. Ironically, Adriana Leon shanked the singular open chance of the first half.
The Reign found their offensive footing in the second half, pushing the Wave to the brink in the back and forcing errors on all three levels.
Fresh legs in the 61st minute brought on the Reign’s best, who started on the bench after international duties, and yielded even more production for the visitors. Sally Menti ensured a memorable NWSL debut, as she fired a shot from the top of the box into the bottom left corner to stake a 1-0 lead just six minutes after her substitution.
Substitutes also aided in San Diego’s revival, with Mexican national Maria Sanchez delivering a scrumptious corner to a stationary Cascarino, who redirected the cross to the near post. NWSL Goalkeeper of the Month Claudia Dickey could only watch as the Wave leveled the game.
Cascarino nearly stole the lead minutes later with a laser bound for the top left corner. However, a strong Dickey reaction put the goalkeeper in the running for Save of the Year.
The celebrations were only momentary, however, as the Wave faltered back into defensive apathy. Emeri Adames sliced through the Wave defense at the brink, powering in a top right corner shot to snap the Wave’s historic six-game unbeaten streak.
Discipline, on both sides of the ball, must be at the top of the list of improvements if the Wave hopes to recapture this early-season success. They have shown glimpses of fluid link-up play, but have not been consistent enough in this endeavor.
Off the ball, the team’s decision to avoid challenging for the ball cost them points on Friday and will continue to cost them as long as they maintain these tactics.