Two San Diego teams played in Boston today, the Wave and Padres. With a losing result on the baseball field, the Wave looked to remedy that in its own coast-to-coast battle.

SAN DIEGO — It was a quiet first half for the NWSL co-leading San Diego Wave FC. Despite quality looks for both squads, the game remained scoreless into the break. Mimi Van Zanten and Kimmi Ascanio put shots on target, but couldn’t convert.

The Wave entered Boston riding a three-game win streak, and they’ve scored seven goals in the process. The rookie Lia Godfrey, Brazilian star Dudinha, and local favorite Melanie Barcenas have been the biggest sources of offensive production so far this season.

There would be some new names getting involved on offense in this match, though.

Second-half stamina

San Diego put the pressure on early and often in the second half, with a couple of looks off the feet of Dali and Portilho. Boston was forced into fouling or booting it out of the depths of their half several times.

After a successful ball challenge in the 62′, Ascanio found herself on a fast break with Boston on its heels. Then, with an in-stride ball to Ludmila, all the pressure paid off with a big right-footer that put San Diego on top 1-0. Ludmila has been flirting with her first goal of the season in every match, and finally found it on the road in Boston.

https://twitter.com/sandiegowavefc/status/2040227362558919006?s=20 

Legacy started to develop some pressure after conceding, but working against the Wave’s depth is a tall task. Gabi Portilho, Jordan Fusco, and Melanie Barcenas were the subs in tonight’s contest. All three created impact where they needed to.

Barcenas had a clean look that almost earned her a goal in her third consecutive game. Gabi Portilho created the opportunity with a gorgeous heel flick.

Staying atop the league

Wave defenders showed strong composure in their box through Boston’s final offensive pushes, and the final whistle was blown after four minutes of extra time. The final whistle indicated a few key things for San Diego.

• Back-to-back clean sheets for goalkeeper Leah Freeman
• 12 points to sit alone atop the NWSL standings
• Four straight wins going into a three-week break

The true offensive orchestrator has been Kenza Dali. The pressure and coordination she creates with the Wave’s attack hasn’t manifested as much on the stat sheet, but is certainly felt by the opposing defense and the fans.

Dali and the Wave will have some time to properly recover, something coach Jonas Eidevall says the team will benefit greatly from. Their next match will be a mile high, as they take on the Denver Summit FC on March 25.

Boston bruised

Boston Legacy FC entered the match without a point to its name and just one goal against Utah last week. In every one of Legacy’s losses up to this one, they have either controlled more possession or put up more shots. Finding quality looks has been their biggest struggle.

Foul trouble has also riddled Boston’s season so far; they had nine at the half and finished with 19.

Their struggles play out like growing pains, not a lack of effort. Frustration is clearly mounting for the East Coast club, though, with exasperated looks all around after another week without a point.

Nate Tubbs

Nate Tubbs is a recent graduate of Journalism at San Diego State University. In his time at SDSU, he wrote and photographed several different sports for Aztec Link, the school’s NIL collective. He also co-hosted a weekly podcast featuring Aztec athletes, sharing their stories and goals for the season. Tubbs is passionate about photography, storytelling, and most of all, San Diego sports.