SD Wave lose 2-1 to Bay FC to remain winless on the road
Credit: San Diego Wave FC
The San Diego Wave played their ninth game in the 2024 NWSL regular season this Friday, May 17, against Bay FC at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
San Diego had defeated the Bay Area team 2-1 at Snapdragon Stadium, and a positive result was expected from this match. However, that was not the case, as a very late error led to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss for the Wave.
San Diego is still dealing with injuries as Alex Morgan, Makenzy Don,iak, and Jaedyn Shaw were all unavailable for the match. Naomi Girma, Abby Dahlkem, and Sofia Jakobsson were all back from injury, but Casey Stoney was very cautious. Naomi Girma started the game, but Abby Dahlkemper came in for the second half to replace Girma.
San Diego absolutely dominated the first half, as Bay FC could only get one shot in the opening 45 minutes of play. The first goal of the game came in the 23rd minute when Kyra Carusa fired a shot inside the penalty area after a corner kick by Maria Sanchez.
Chaos in the box off a corner kick and @sandiegowavefc‘s Kyra Carusa finds the back of the net!
Watch all of the action on NWSL+ for free now! >> https://t.co/y6cLvHupJ4 pic.twitter.com/upGA0v1q2V
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 18, 2024
Bay FC looked much better in the second half than in the first half, and that was reflected on the scoreboard. Bay FC tied the game in the 55th goal with a beautiful strike from Scarlett Camberos. Kiki Pickett started the scoring play with her spectacular dribbling and found Camberos on the left side of the box unmarked. The Wave defended poorly on this play, as they gave way too much space to Camberos inside of the box.
The injury woes continued for San Diego when Christen Westphal was injured and had to be subbed out of the game for San Diego in the 59th minute. The Wave offense could not get much going in the second half, with Jaedyn Shaw’s absence being very apparent within the team. Alex Morgan’s goalscoring prowess and leadership has also been absent for most of the season which has had a deep impact on this squad.
Bay FC took full advantage of a terrible miscue by Kailen Sheridan towards the end of the match to take the lead in the 87th minute. The Canadian goalkeeper came out of her position to chase down Dorian Bailey, who crossed the ball into the box, where Hanna Lundkvist scored an own goal.
An incredible sequence in the box ends with Racheal Kundananji putting @wearebayfc in the lead! pic.twitter.com/JDhWRo3cxs
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 18, 2024
It was a gutting way for San Diego to lose to extend the winless road streak to four games this season. In 2023, San Diego was quite good on the road but struggled at home, so it is surprising to see this change of pace in 2024. The Wave is currently in eighth place with 11 points, but not all teams below them have played nine games.
The injuries have been a factor, but it is also the second time this season we see a dumbfounding error by Kailen Sheridan: it is also not the first time we see inconsistencies in the backline and the attack.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.