Wave lose another late heartbreaker
Emily Van Egmond defends in San Diego Wave’s 2-1 loss against Gotham FC at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. (Photo courtesy: San Diego Wave FC)
San Diego Wave FC gave up their second consecutive stoppage time goal, this time against NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2-1 loss at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey.
San Diego Wave FC gave up a goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time on Saturday in a 1-1 draw against the Washington Spirit and repeated their mistake on Wednesday night against Gotham FC in the eight minute of stoppage time to lose 2-1.
“It’s devastating to lose to another late goal,” said head coach Casey Stoney about the loss.
The loss broke a record for the Wave’s longest winless streak in the NWSL regular season now at six matches. Their longest winless streak across all competitions occurred last season starting in June which lasted nine matches across all competitions.
Gotham dominated nearly the entire first half, but the Wave defense managed to hold on in the central position forcing their opposition to play wider, but eventually made a serious error in the third minute of stoppage time after they had just turned over the ball.
USWNT mainstay Rose Lavelle had the ball in a counter attacking opportunity and was given too much space to run the ball to the top of the box and send a screeching shot that curved past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
The Wave offense was highlighted by rookie Mya Jones on the right wing who applied a high press throughout the match to force the Gotham defense to make good plays to stop her.
Jones’ high press eventually worked to perfection to start the second half as she took advantage of a misplayed pass by Gotham goalkeeper Ann Berger. After Jones intercepted the pass she had a one-on-one opportunity against a defender who she quickly bypassed before sending the shot in to equalize at 1-1 in the 48th minute
“I don’t think there’s anything I can say at the end of the game. I think to feel like that twice in a matter of days, there’s nothing I can do to recover, it’s about what we do now to make things better,” Stoney said. “The message was that we have to collectively now look at how we can improve and it’s my responsibility to make the team better.”
Maycee Bell scored the game-winner with a perfect first touch in a very difficult play where she wrapped her leg around a Wave defender inside the box before smashing the goal in toward the far post to make it the final score of 2-1.
Prior to the goal there had been an extended waiting period to determine whether or not the play would be subject to a VAR review. Stoney said after the match that it “must have been an inexperienced person on VAR today.”
The Wave have one more match on the road on Saturday, June 22, against the Houston Dash. Their next home match won’t be until Friday, June 28 when they face the Chicago Red Stars.
