Wave cruise in 2-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Defender Hanna Lundkvist moves the ball forward in the San Diego Wave's 2-0 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Lundkvist played a great match on the right side creating many chances and shots throughout the match. (Photo Credit: Wave FC)

Dominant, but it took a while. 

San Diego Wave FC won their third match in the Concacaf W Champions Cup with a 2-0 result in B.C. Place against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

The Wave featured a rotated starting lineup without many of their traditional starters like Kailen Sheridan, Naomi Girma, María Sánchez and Delphine Cascarino, but dominated in possession throughout the match holding the ball more than 70% of the time.  

San Diego controlled the ball throughout the pitch and outshot Vancouver 32-2, but they still struggled to score their many opportunities in front of goal. 

The first goal didn’t come until the 59th minute when defender Kaitlyn Torpey forced an opportunity inside the opposition’s penalty area after a pass from 16-year-old Kimi Ascanio. Torpey got the ball and rushed passed a defender before sending it low toward the far post. The goalkeeper managed to hit the ball with her leg, but it bounced over and into the net to make it 1-0. 

The second goal came a minute after the Wave’s first substitutions in the 66th minute by Amirah Ali.

Ali subbed on for Melanie Barcenas and immediately made her presence felt after being left open in the center of the box by Vancouver. Hanna Lundkvist brought the ball in and sent an easy pass to Ali that she shot easily past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. 

The Wave have nine points and will play against Club America Femenil for their final match of  the Concacaf W Champions Cup group. The match could have major implications on who will advance out of the group stage should the Portland Thorns win their match against Vancouver the day prior.

Should Club America Femenil beat the Wave, three teams could be tied with nine points and it will come down to goal differential to determine who advances on to the semifinals in 2025. 

San Diego will play their third match of the week, again on the road against the North Carolina Courage on Saturday, October 5 for the NWSL regular season. The last time the Wave faced North Carolina was on September 8, the emotional Alex Morgan retirement match that the Wave lost 3-1.