SD Wave top Utah Royals in 3-2 home opener

In a season home opener that looked to re-inspire a San Diego that had gone through a difficult last season the Wave looked to build on the momentum gained from the last weekend facing their SoCal rivals ACFC. Wave had experienced a season many are ready to forget with shakeups at every level of the organization including the coaching staff, a sudden retirement from their star player Alex Morgan, and the loss of two USWNT stars Jaedyn Shaw and Naomi Girma. The tumult left many questions open heading into the season about the prospects of this iteration of the team this NWSL season especially amidst all the changes.

For Jonas Eidevall, who led the WSL Arsenal side to multiple FA Cup titles, the challenge was how to create a new identity for the Wave side building from the ashes of last season something that is new, fresh, and decidedly Wave. With the additions of Adriana Leon, and Gia Corley as a dynamic striking package alongside Maria Sanchez the Wave offense has developed into an internationally potent group. The international themes have also translated into a new system of play that Jonas has introduced including a more press focused style that is combined with a possession driven play from the rear approach of offense.

This was immediately apparent from the first whistle as Wave pressed Utah aggressively in the final third, providing no breathing room for the Royals defense. The pressure was also paired with a right wing-led distribution that drove deep into the final third on multiple possessions with the first goal coming at the 7 minute mark to open the proceedings from a brilliant turn by Gia Corley and a decisive finish from the Canadian striker Adriana Leon. The scoring wouldn’t stop with Maria Sanchez adding her goal to end the half with a dominant 2-0 affair for Eidevall and the Wave showing a completely revitalized offense that put Snapdragon stadium into frenzy.

However, it was a tale of two halves as Utah entered into the second half with a focus that was helped by a Claudia Zornoza free kick that brought belief to the side and put the Wave on their heels. Wave regressed into a weakened defense that looked at times disorganized, dismayed, and unable to put together the possessions that had marked the urgency of the first half. Utah continued their campaign with another powerful counter attack this time with Japanese star Mina Tanaka finding the back of the net.

Ultimately, Wave was able to salvage the half from a terrible lapse in front of goal that Gia Corley put away decisively to seal the match. A fascinating mix of good and bad for Eidevall to process as the Wave look to face the defending champion Orlando Pride next.