Wave scoreless in draw against Racing Louisville

Defender Kennedy Wesley made her professional debut for San Diego Wave FC in a 0-0 draw against Racing Louisville FC. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC.)

San Diego Wave FC went on the road for the first time in the 2024 NWSL regular season to take on Racing Louisville FC where they tied 0-0 thanks to strong defending and a lackluster offensive in the final third.

“I think we did okay, (but)I don’t think we were great tonight overall. Although we created chances that we should have taken, but they created chances too,” head coach Casey Stoney said. “We gotta do more with the chances we create, we’ve got to keep the ball better. I thought we could have punched between lines a lot more and be brave going forward. But it’s a point on the road in a very difficult place to come, and a slightly difficult pitch to play on.”

The starting lineup was standard for the team, but missing one of the Wave’s star players in Naomi Girma who suffered a thigh injury during the international break with the USWNT.  Fellow Stanford graduate Kennedy Wesley took her spot in the center back position and played a strong game to keep the clean sheet. 

"I obviously was super honored and excited for the opportunity and I don't think I could have done it without my teammates on the field,” Wesley said. “They made me feel confident, not afraid to make mistakes & gave me the encouragement to just go after it."

The first half was excellent for the Wave defensively and possession wise as they dominated with 59% possession and didn't allow a single shot on target, but looked like a much different team to start the second half, especially on the offensive side of the ball. 

The Wave had very few good chances created and a seemingly tired team in the final third. The primary action in the game came in the last 20 minutes as Louisville seemed to take control of the match, first starting with a nearly wonderful goal by former Wave midfielder Taylor Flint. 

Flint — formerly Kornieck— made a goal similar to many during her time in San Diego using her size ot outclass the defense and head the ball into the back of the net. However, one of her teammates was in an offside position on the goaline obstructing Kailen Sheridan from diving for the ball. The referee called the goal off and the scorer remained 0-0. 

Later on in the 76th minute 16-year-old United States Youth National Team midfielder Kimmi Ascanio made her professional debut as she came on as a substitute for Danielle Colaprico. 

“We needed to keep the ball more and I thought she could impact the game and I think she did that,” Stoney said about the decision to substitute Ascanio on. “I'm not going to test her too much, but I’m going to give her minutes and I’m going to play her because she’s good enough to play.”

The best moment of the match for the Wave came in the 87th minute as goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made a great save on her line to stop a header from very close in the box. 

The Wave will stay on the road for the next week and travel to Orlando where they will face the Pride on Friday, April 19. The match will start at 5 p.m. PST and be broadcasted nationally Prime Video.