The San Diego Wave hosted the Portland Thorns at Snapdragon Stadium this Saturday, September 28.

This was the second time the teams were meeting in San Diego this year, but the first in NWSL league play.

Both teams are on the edge of the very competitive NWSL playoff race, as this was an important clash. San Diego had defeated Portland 3-2 when they played in the CONCACAF Champions Cup and were trying to ride on that momentum.

Landon Donovan tinkered with his lineup a bit and decided to bench Melanie Barcenas, while playing Amirah Ali at striker and Makenzy Doniak as an attacking midfielder.

The Wave controlled possession for most of the match but struggled to generate much offensive play in the opening 45 minutes. Both teams did not have much action in first half and saved it all for the second half.

The second half was a completely different game at Snapdragon Stadium, with both teams pushing forward. Landon Donovan made a pair of key substitutions in the 59th minute as Melanie Barcenas and Mya Jones replaced Makenzy Doniak and Amirah Ali.

Mya Jones opened the scoring at the “Snap” in the 68th minute with a bizarre goal off a set piece by Maria Sanchez. The Mexican international swung the ball into the penalty area, and Kristen McNabb made contact with the sphere, which launched high into the air. Jones was at the end of the ball to put away the scoring opportunity and gain a 1-0 lead.

SD’S OWN MELANIE BARCENAS’ FIRST @NWSL GOAL ✨ pic.twitter.com/TjyR86PM4p

— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) September 29, 2024

Melanie Barcenas was able to get her first NWSL goal just a few minutes after Jones’ goal. The 16-year-old forward made a fantastic play on the wing and fired a left-foot strike that deflected off Isabella Obaze and into the back of the net. Barcenas was credited with the goal despite the deflection in what was a vital goal for the San Diego Wave.

Portland attacked Kailen Sheridan’s net consistently in the second half, but the Canadian shot-stopper had a massive performance and kept the clean sheet. Sophia Smith did not play this match due to an injury, which helped maintain this scoreline, but Morgan Weaver, Christine Sinclair, and the rest of the Thorns’ offense had no luck on the night.

San Diego is now only three points out of a playoff spot with just four games left in the regular season. This win was very significant considering it was San Diego’s first home win in league play since May 8. The Wave’s next game will be in the Champions Cup, facing Vancouver away from home on October 1.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.