Zepeda: Wave caught in a rip current; happy father’s day to Chucky Lozano

Wave celebrate Jaedyn Shaw goal against Washington Spirit in 1-1 draw. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC)

Many things happened in the world of San Diego soccer this week and I have a lot of stuff on mind. My name’s Abraham Zepeda and welcome to my new Sunday opinion column about the beautiful game in America’s Finest City.

San Diego Wave FC extended their winless streak to five matches with their draw last night against the Washington Spirit. The Wave led from the 20th minute thanks to the road roommate pairing of Maria Sanchez and Jaedyn Shaw, but conceded a goal at the death.

Now I’m exhausted from all the ocean puns used to talk about this club, but there is no other way to say it.

The Wave are caught in a rip current. Swimming with plenty of force, but stuck in the same exact place and being pulled further from shore at the same time.

They’ve already matched their five total draws from the 2023 season, and their only wins are against the bottom three teams in the NWSL. Every other match has been a loss or a draw featuring a lackluster offense that lacks an ability to score.

They are tied for second-to-last in goals scored this season, but tied for second in goals conceded, so no blame should go toward the defense.

Center back Naomi Girma put on a defensive show to stop the electricity that Trinity Rodman brings to an attack. Danielle Colaprico played great as a center defensive midfielder stopping Washington’s momentum and distributing the ball well up the pitch.

The lone goal by Washington started with an amazing long pass by Casey Krueger to the final third. Abby Dahlkeper tried to head the ball away but it deflected toward the NWSL rookie standout Croix Bethune. Bethune got a great first touch with her chest to control the ball before shooting it past Kailen Sheridan in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

How do you escape a rip current? You swim parallel to the beach.

Wave head coach Casey Stoney has said all season they need to create more chances and be better in the final third. That seems like a start.

“It just feels like we can’t catch a break, but you make your own luck.,” Stoney said after the match. “We’ll keep working, we'll keep trying to do the right things. Hopefully the tide will turn, because the players deserve more tonight. They gave absolutely everything and emptied the tank. I can’t ask anything more of them.”

I agree, but I don’t think the tide will turn. It’s time to swim out and catch up because the top teams in the NWSL are already busy shredding the gnar.

San Diego FC’s marquee signing Hirving “Chucky” Lozano greets fans at Rady’s Shell event Thursday night. (Photo by Ryan Young)

I hadn’t really bought in on the dream San Diego FC is selling.

Is this $500 million franchise actually going to change the San Diego sports landscape? Will they compete and consistently bring exciting players in, or sell all their developed academy players to elsewhere?

Are young fans going to fall for SDFC’s version of a young Adrián González just for him to leave in the prime of their career?

Maybe all that is too cynical.

I couldn’t help but buy in on the vision after watching an emotional Hirving “Chucky” Lozano cry at his introductory press conference on Thursday morning.

Lozano’s signing was officially announced on June 6. He signed a four-year contract through the 2028 MLS season and would be the first designated player in San Diego FC history.

I sat there at Snapdragon Stadium expecting another typical SDFC press event that would wax on about the potential of the Right to Dream academy and some brief words from Lozano about his belief in the project and excitement to join the club.

But what we got was perfect.

Lozano was being introduced via a video of SDFC Chairman and owner Mohamed Mansour. Lozano looked out at a full crowd of media with his family and friends in the front row, including his two children, and began to cry as the emotions of the moment came over him.

We need more raw emotions in sports, it’s a beautiful thing. Thank you Hirving “Chucky” Lozano.

So, what makes it a happy Father’s Day for the 28-year-old Mexican superstar?

One of Lozano’s first guests to walk out was former head coach of la Selección Mexicana and Liga MX’s Pachuca Enrique Meza.

TJ Sports’ Alejandro Guzman asked a great question about what it meant to have 76-year-old Enrique Meza, Lozano’s first professional coach at Pachuca, in attendance and what advice he had given Lozano when he made his debut against Liga MX powerhouse Club América.

Lozano began to answer the question, but his voice broke and tears ran down his face as he recalled what Meza meant to him. He called Meza his father figure in the game of soccer and said he has had beautiful conversations with him since he since he left Mexico to play in Europe.

“I have so much love for him,” Lozano said. “The truth is there aren’t words to describe (our relationship.) He has supported me from the beginning, and I have many beautiful memories about him.”

Lozano also recounted the advice from Meza in his professional debut at Estadio Azteca.

“‘Kid don’t worry. Play like you’ve been playing. Forget about everything happening in the stadium and play like you know how to play,’” Meza said.

Thank you to all the parents and parental figures in the game of fútbol.

Oh, and hosting the biggest MLS introduction for a player since Lionel Messi sold out Inter Miami’s stadium puts a nice feather in SDFC’s cap.

It looked a lot cooler too.