Club América Feminil knock Wave out of Concacaf W Champions Cup

Wave Forward Delphine Cascarino dribbles the ball in the Wave’s 1-0 defeat against Club América Femenil in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. (Photo credit: San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC lost their final match of the Concacaf W Champions Cup against Club América Femenil after winning their first three effectively eliminating them from the tournament.

“I’m disappointed. There’s a lot going through my head, I’m just processing everything,” interim head coach Landon Donovan said. “Nights like tonight really hurt me, I’ve only been here a few months, but they hurt me for the club. I’ve achieved a lot in my life, and I don’t need any personal gain out of this, it’s just, I wanted this for the club and so it’s sad when you can’t deliver that and I feel bad about that.”

The Aguilas came on strong with their offensive counter attacking style that made the pace very fast before quickly forcing an error by the Wave’s defense. 

It came in the 22nd minute following a set-piece opportunity for the Wave in the opposition’s half. The ball was cleared by América giving Sarah Luebbert an opportunity with lots of open space. Luebbert had just beaten Girma running down the pitch and Wave goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was outside the penalty area. Sheridan committed an obvious foul to avoid a potential open shot on goal and was shown a red card leaving the Wave with 10 players. 

Hillary Beall took Sheridan’s spot in goal and forced the team to substitute Mya Jones off the pitch. 

The Wave nearly saw a similar moment near the end of the first half as Perle Morroni fell to the ground in a run against the final defender. It appeared that Morroni was kicked in the ankle just outside the penalty area. The referee did not call the play a foul, and the tournament was not using VAR for any matches in the group stage.

Still, the Wave managed to stay alive despite an exciting game with chances for both sides who play an offensive-minded style of soccer, with many set-piece opportunities for the Wave. 

In the 58th minute, Aguilas left back Nicolette Hernández sent in the cross that Kiana Palacios headed to the ground, but took an odd bounce because of the pitch conditions. Wave goalkeeper Hillary Beall seemed to have been surprised by the bounce, but she still managed to save the shot. However the deflection landed inside the 6-yard box for Sarah Luebbert to tap in easily making it 1-0.

“The goal is a tough one to take and the field’s been in really bad shape, especially in the goal now,” Donovan said. I feel bad for Hillary (Beall), the ball bounces and moves like four feet, so she’s probably devastated by it, but there’s nothing we can do about that.”

The Portland Thorns, and Club América Femenil advanced out of group B and will face Tigres Femenil and Gotham FC respectively in the semifinals of the tournament on May 22, in a to be announced centralized location. 

The Wave play their next match on Saturday, October 19, in an away match against the Kansas City Current.