San Diego Wave FC take the plunge and win big

If there's one thing soccer teaches you, it's that determination and the will to win can turn a seemingly ordinary match into a real spectacle. And that's exactly what we saw on Saturday night at Torero Stadium, where San Diego Wave FC beat Bay FC 3-1 in the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

Follow MLS Multiplex on X (Twitter).

The start of the game already showed that San Diego Wave FC were hungry for victory. As early as the fifth minute, striker Elyse Bennett almost opened the scoring with a move that had the fans holding their breath. However, it was in the 26th minute that San Diego's first real chance came when Alex Morgan, with all his mastery, unleashed a shot, forcing Bay goalkeeper Emmie Allen to make a spectacular save.

But the goal was written in the stars. In the final minutes of the first half, after a sequence of incisive attacks, the Wave found the opening they needed. Abby Dahlkemper launched a long ball to María Sánchez, who forced Allen into another difficult save, resulting in a corner. From the penalty spot, Sánchez placed the ball with millimetre precision onto the head of Kennedy Wesley, who was unforgiving and headed the ball firmly into the back of the net. A goal that lifted the fans and gave the team morale for the second half.

Coming back from the break, the San Diego Wave continued to dominate. In the 53rd minute, Danny Colaprico, with his experience and vision, disarmed a Bay FC player and released Sánchez, who with a subtle touch put the ball into the left corner of the opponent's goal, scoring his first goal for San Diego. The match seemed to be under control, but soccer, always unpredictable, still had its thrills in store.

In the 63rd minute, Bay FC managed to cut the deficit. Hillary Beall, the San Diego goalkeeper, made an initial save, but the alert Maddie Moreau took advantage of the rebound and sent it into the back of the net, bringing tension to the next few minutes. However, the San Diego Wave, showing resilience and team spirit, continued to press and soon secured their place in the game.

In the 80th minute, Savannah McCaskill, with impressive vision, found Bennett at the back post. The striker redirected the ball into the box, where Amirah Ali, who had come on in the second half, finished with precision, scoring her first goal of the season and sealing the victory for San Diego.

And if there was any doubt about the final result, it was dispelled in injury time. Bay FC won a penalty, and Deyna Castellanos confidently stepped up to take it. However, Beall was in inspired form and saved the spot-kick, securing the three points and a 3-1 victory. It was the first time the San Diego Wave had scored three goals in a match since May 2023, a feat that certainly fills the fans and the team with pride.