The San Diego Wave FC remains on top of the National Women’s Soccer League standings but life at the top is proviing troublesome at times
The Wave remained at home for Saturday’s match against the Angel City FC and will play at Kansas City on Friday, July 17, then host the Seattle Reign on Pride Night on July 26, 2 p.m. kickoff.
Saturday’s “rivalry” match against Los Angeles featured a sizable segment of the 15,81 in attendance cheering for the visitors. Angel City fans, in fact, did a lot of cheering in their team’s 2-0 victory though the hosts did a lot of attacking.
The Wave dominated the contest in almost every category except on the scoreboard. The hosts attacked until the last second but Angel City keeper Angelina Anderson would not let herself be beaten. She tipped balls over the crossbar and dove right and left to stop skidding shots ticketed for corners.
The Wave finished with 63 percent possession while out-shooting Angel City 18-12. The hosts recorded 12 of their 18 shots in the second half, held 71 percent possession after halftime and earned all 10 of its corner kicks in the second half.
But they were unsuccessful in bulging twine.
Angel City opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Jun Endo crossed the ball into the penalty box that found the head of Maiaru Niehues.
The visitors doubled their advantage nine minutes later after a throw-in bounced inside the penalty area to Ary Borges. The Brazilian controlled the ball with her chest before tapping a shot past Agudelo.
The Wave’s attack was relentless but ultimately proved fruitless.
Kimmi Ascanio earned a penalty kick in the 85th minute, but rookie Lia Godfrey’s attempt struck the post and deflected away.
Angel City fans were obviously appreciative of their team’s win but Wave fans had to applaud their team as well for the monstrous offensive showcase.
The Wave remains on top of the NWSL’s 16-team table with a 9-5-1 record (nine wins, five losses, one tie) and 28 points. Three teams follow at 27 points: Washington (8-3-3), Portland (8-4-3) and Gotham (8-3-3). Two teams are tied with 24 points: Utah (7-4-3) and Kansas City (8-6-0). The top eight teams qualify for the playoffs. Rounding out the top eight are No. 7 North Carolina (6-4-3) and No. 8 Orlando (6-7-2). Angel City sits jsut out of the playoff field at No. 9 with 19 points.
Photos by Paul Martinez
Angel City FC at San Diego Wave FC
Saturday, July 11 (Snapdragon Stadium)
World Cup 2026: By the numbers
Spain will take on Argentina in Sunday’s grand final while France and England will vie for bragging rights in Saturday’s third place game to conclude this year’s expanded 48-team tournament.
The directions all four teams took were decided in this week’s semifinals: 2-0 Spain over No. 1 France on Tuesday in Dallas and defending world champion Argentina’s 2-1 late-coming victory on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Spain received goals by Mikel Obayzabal (PK n the 22nd minute) and Pedro Porro (58th minute) to overturn a 14-10 disadvantage in shots and 7-1 disparity in corner kicks against the French.
Argentina has lived throughout the 2026 edition with spirited late comebacks and the semifinal was no different. Trailing 1-0 on a goal by England’s Anthony Gordon in the 55th minute, Argentina drew level in the 85th minute on a tally by Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez popped in the game-winner two minutes into stoppage time. The Argentines piled up a 14-6 shot advantage and 6-1 edge in corners.
This is Spain’s second World Cup final after winning the 2010 tournament. England had been seeking its first World Cup championship since 1966.
France was bidding to make it three consecutive World Cup final appearances.
