Wave subs solid in 2-0 victory over Portland

San Diego Wave players celebrate 16-year-old Melanie Barcenas' first professional goal to put the Wave up 2-0 over the Portland Thorns. (San Diego Wave FC)

San Diego Wave FC beat the Portland Thorns 2-0 at Snapdragon Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 15,271 fans to put the club only three points away from a playoff position with four matches left to play in the regular season. 

The Wave’s offensive system worked well with a 4-3-3 formation once again against the Thorns as they controlled possession and wore them down with a constant pressure up top that didn’t let up throughout the match. They saw fewer shots than usual to begin a first half, but still managed to create issues thanks to the footwork of forwards like Delphine Cascarino. 

The first substitutions came in the 59th minute to put on Mya Jones, Melanie Barcenas and Kaitlyn Torpey.

Wave interim head coach Landon Donovan said after the match he knew at the 60 minute mark that Portland would “struggle physically,” because of their travel and tough schedule.

His prediction turned out to be correct as the Wave substitutes poured on the pressure and kept the pace fast before eventually scoring in the 69th minute. During a set piece Kristen McNabb received a ball from María Sánchez that went high in the air just in front of the goal inside the 6-yard box. Forward Mya Jones stood tall over Portland’s defender Sam Coffey on the line and pushed the ball in with her chest to make it 1-0.

The momentum was at that point undeniable as the Wave offense kept the pressure on Portland to score only minutes later in the 74th minute. Following another set piece opportunity, 16-year-old Melanie Barcenas took the ball in from the top corner of the box before sending in a strong shot aimed toward the far post. Though the ball was deflected off Portland defender Isabella Bryld Obaze directly into the net to make it 2-0 for her first professional goal ever. 

“It’s amazing to score a goal anywhere, but especially to score a first goal here is a different special thing, and I’m just so happy to be supported by our amazing team and family here tonight, and the fans,” Barcenas said. “It’s just really a surreal moment to know I was just a little girl watching games here, so now just putting the ball in the back of the net is a great feeling.”

Barcenas has been getting more minutes under Donovan, primarily because of injury, but has been solid in her role as a forward. However, Barcenas is expected to play in the Under-17 Women’s World Cup for the United States in October and likely be away from the Wave for the rest of the regular season.

“It’s the same with Loyal, these are like my children now, and so you’re proud of them to excel and succeed,” Donovan said. “I am very happy for her to go off with the national team, especially in the form she’s in, but it’s going to hurt us. She’s become a really impactful player for this team.”

The Wave play their next match on Tuesday, October 1, in the Concacaf W Champion’s Cup in Canada against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Women. Their next NWSL match will happen in the same week on October 5, against the North Carolina Courage away from home.