San Diego Wave open NWSL season with draw against Angel City
San Diego Wave players celebrate following their goal in the fifth minute by midfielder Gia Corley. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC)
Saved by Sheridan.
That has been said many times since San Diego Wave took to the field since 2022. A few seasons later and it remains a story as she led the team to a 1-1 draw against their Southern-California rivals, Angel City FC on the road to open the NWSL season.
“(Kailen Sheridan’s) a world-class goalkeeper. I think she’s pulling off some big saves, some big plays today and I think that’s one important part. I think she offers composure in possession,” new Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall said. “She’s a confident communicator which helps us as a team to solve situations during the game so I was very pleased with her performance.”
The Wave got off to a strong start with a goal in the fifth minute thanks to their speed and high press that forced turnovers from the opposition.
The first goal started in transition with Delphine Cascarino taking the ball down the right side of the pitch with time allowing her offense to push high against the goal. Cascarino sent a cross a little bit further back to the center of the box where the Wave’s new attacking midfielder, Gia Corley stood alone. Corley shot the ball easily into the goal away from the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
“Gia Corley is a really technical player, she’s got a lot of ability and skills, and she’s really young as well,” new midfielder Kenza Dali said. “I think she bring’s a lot to the team, and she’s rapid. She’s got everything to be a really good player.”
Wave goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan, was the captain and star for the day as she made multiple important saves to keep Angel City off the board in the first half. The first major chance for Angel City came in the 19th minute when the USWNT young forward, Alyssa Thompson, made a run in open space behind the Wave’s high defensive line. Thompson drew the Wave defense to her leaving two Angel City players open on the opposite side.
Claire Emslie took the first chance that was saved by Sheridan’s long dive. The deflection landed in front of Alyssa’s younger sister Gisele Thompson, who shot the ball which got saved again by Sheridan.
Wave captain and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made a diving save to maintain San Diego’s 1-0 lead in the first half against Angel City. (Photo credit: San Diego Wave FC)
Alyssa Thompson had another clear chance later on in the 33rd minute with a one-on-one opportunity against Sheridan, but Thompson waited too long. She brought the ball into the box allowing Sheridan to come off her line and push the ball away while Thompson tried to cut left. Wave center back Kennedy Wesley cleared the deflection to maintain the 1-0 lead.
The Wave maintained 63% of the possession for the entire match and featured a cohesive midfield with new international players like Kenza Dali and Gia Corley. Coupled with their fullbacks who appeared comfortable playing alongside them.
Angel City eventually did manage to equalize as Alyssa Thompson forced an opportunity down the right side of the pitch in the 54th minute. She had been calling for a run throughout the match, and Kennedy Fuller took the opportunity as she saw Thompson open with plenty of empty space in front of her.
Fuller sent a through ball into the area for Thompson to run for which she did before A. Thompson faced the two Wave center backs inside the penalty area. Still A. Thompson managed to deke Sheridan slightly leaving just enough room on the far post to tie the game.
The Wave had a few more chances with substitutes like Adriana Leon, Kim Ascanio, Melanie Barrens and Makenzy Robbe after the 62nd minute to keep the attack fresh with speed and ability. Still no goals materialized for either side leaving the final score at 1-1.
San Diego Wave play their next match at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 23, 2025, against the Utah Royals.
