Wave secures playoff spot, sinks Chicago in 6-1 onslaught
Dudinha a current addition to Wave FC s roster had her first brace for the club against Chicago on Oct Photo courtesy of San Diego Wave FC Wave FC defeated the Chicago Stars - Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium and in theprocess not only moved up in the standings but also clinched a spot in the NWSL playoffs It also was the club s first home win in five months Going into Saturday s meeting the Wave hadn t won a home match since May against North Carolina But fortunately for San Diego the Stars have the worst record in the NWSL and played like it during Wave FC s last home match of the regular season Throughout the match the Wave lived up to its name by crashing down on Chicago over andover San Diego forward Delphine Cascarino opened the scoring less than seven minutes intothe championship when she revealed the back of the net with a right-footed shot to the center of the goal Then during the th minute the Wave s lead increased to - when Stars defender SamStaab accidentally scored against when the ball bounced off her left foot as she was trying to deflect it and it landed in Chicago s net During the th minute Brazilian midfielder Dudinha scored with a right-footed shot to thebottom-right corner of the net to make the amount - Wave And in the th minute defenderKristen McNabb connected with a header to the center of the net that increased San Diego slead to - going into halftime It completely feels like we re putting the puzzle pieces together McNabb mentioned later during the post-match press conference The halftime statistics were as lopsided as the outcome San Diego retained ball possession for of the initial minutes and took nine shots compared to four for Chicago Wave FC sfour shots on goal were double that of the Stars Wave FC also made total passes compared with for the Stars The onslaught continued in the second half During the th minute Dudinha who joined theclub in July collected her first brace as a member of the Wave when she hit a right-footed shot from the front of the goal to the center of the net making the total - Despite being down big Chicago continued to fight During the st minute Stars substitute midfielder Bea Franklin who entered the match during the th minute scored via aright-footed shot to the bottom-right corner of the net to make the result - But in the rd minute Chicago s deficit once again widened During a fast break Wave midfielder Kenza Dali powered a right-footed shot past the Stars struggling goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher who was visibly frustrated after being unable to make the save With the win Wave FC sweptsthe season series The teams last played April in Chicago with San Diego coming away with a - win The Wave entered the match in sixth place in the NWSL table but with Saturday s impact notmoved up a spot to fifth place but also officially clinched a playoff spot with a record of - - and points Chicago however remains at the bottom of the standings with two wins draws losses and points Although this was the last home event of the regular season Wave FC really has onemore match before the playoffs begin and it s a huge challenge San Diego faces the best band in the NWSL the Kansas City Current - - points on Nov at CPKC Stadium It s one of the majority of demanding places that you can go to play soccer in the world Wave FChead coach Jonas Eidevall disclosed of Kansas City s home pitch We re going to have a plan to attack that encounter Notes It was publicized Wednesday that Wave FC is among six NWSL teams that havecommitted to participate in the Coachella Valley Invitational a preseason exhibitiontournament taking place Feb and at the Empire Polo Club in Indio Thirteen MLS teamsare also scheduled to participate including San Diego FC with the men s tournament takingplace Feb - and
