In many instances, the score fails to outline the full effort, grit, and determination put into a team's performance in soccer. For San Diego Wave FC, their 1-1 draw against Washington Spirit at Snapdragon Stadium was one of those nights where resilience and determination were full view. On what has been a testing season for the Wave, they proved to still have much to offer, even when things seemed completely against them.
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An Own Goal That Almost Crushed Their Hopes
Both sides were playing very strong in defense in the first half, but at the 30-minute mark, an unfortunate moment took away some momentum from the match. It was an own goal off a clearance attempt deflected off one of its own, which found the back of the net. That was one of those moments that can easily demoralize a team, let alone one in 12th place and fighting to stay above the playoff cut line.
But resilient were the Wave. Instead of letting it get them down, the interim head coach Landon Donovan-led team came out of the halftime tunnel with their heads up and determined to change their fortunes.
Wave Response and McNabb's Redemption
San Diego Wave was more intense in the second half, which saw them push hard against Washington Spirit in search of an equalizer. In the 68th minute, Kristen McNabb was in redemption mode as she gave back her side after being involved in the earlier own goal. Off a well-taken corner by María Sánchez, McNabb rose above the defense and, with a precise second touch, placed the ball in the bottom corner, leveling the score.
McNabb had all the reasons in the world to celebrate. She knew that goal was in response to her earlier mistake-a way to neuter the damage of the own goal and show the team was back in it. "Yeah, an own goal is never ideal," McNabb acknowledged. "So I think the best way to counteract that is by scoring, so I was pretty pumped."
Donovan and the Importance of a Winning Mentality
Landon Donovan, who this summer took the head coaching reins of a turbulent season, instilled in the team the need for a winning mentality in order to alter the trajectory. "Losing becomes a habit, and winning becomes a habit," Donovan reflected on the challenges facing the club. He brought up Orlando Pride, the leaders of the league, as a good example of a team that steps onto the field expecting to win no matter the circumstances.
While Donovan does pinpoint that this mindset is something the Wave are still working on, he genuinely seems to think the positive signs have been there in the recent performances of the team. A comeback after the own goal and fighting spirit in the second half-thought not necessarily fully arriving-are proof the team is on its way. "They deserve it now," Donovan said. I'd say three weeks ago, we didn't deserve. for the ball to bounce our way. Eventually, that's going to change, but we have to earn it."
The Road to the Playoffs Is Still Long
With the draw, San Diego Wave stay at 12th position with 16 points, five back of Bay FC, who keep hold of the eighth and final playoff spot in the NWSL. The gap isn't insurmountable, but it requires the Wave to continue showing the same resilience and determination in their upcoming matches.
Coach Donovan feels the team is "well on their way" for better results, but he fully realizes the tough work ahead. From here on, every game is a final for San Diego, and they need to start turning some of those draws into wins if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.