San Diego Wave dominant in 3-0 road win against Chicago Stars
Credit: SD Wave FC
The San Diego Wave visited the Chicago Stars for a game in the 2025 NWSL regular season this Saturday, April 26.
San Diego was coming off a dominant 4-1 away win against Racing Louisville and was hoping to keep that momentum going in this match.
That win at Louisville was the Wave’s first road victory of the season, and it was vital to keep that run of form. Head coach Jonas Eidevall made one major change to the starting 11 as youngster Kimmi Ascanio replaced the experienced Adriana Leon. The Wave made history with this lineup as it was the first time in NWSL history a team had three 17-year-old players (Ascanio, Melanie Barcenas, Trinity Armstrong) starting a match.
For the FIRST time in NWSL history, THREE 17 year olds will take the pitch as starters!
All three were starters for the USWNT’s U-17 team during the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup
Kimmi Ascanio
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 26, 2025
Chicago was coming off a 1-0 loss to Utah and only had one win and four losses heading into this match.
The Wave really controlled possession in the first half, with 66 percent of the sphere, and were the better team on the pitch. The first and only goal of the first half came in the 30th minute, when Hanna Lundkvist scored from inside the penalty area.
The odd scoring play started from a corner kick by Savannah McCaskill, after some bounces and a deflection off Trinity Armstrong, the ball fell to Lundkvist inside of the area. The Swedish defender pulled off an impressive cross-body shot in between four Chicago players.
Kailen Sheridan made a pair of saves in the opening 45 minutes and was also key to maintaining this result.
The Wave’s dominance continued in the second half against a Chicago side that was not providing a competitive effort. Maria Sanchez came on for Melanie Barcenas in the 63rd minute, and Adriana Leon replaced Gia Corley in the 74th minute.
Wave find a way to double their lead late in the second half! pic.twitter.com/bo73Se7yKq
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) April 27, 2025
San Diego’s attack did benefit from these changes as the second goal of the match came in the 81st minute. Maria Sanchez crossed the ball into the box, where Adriana Leon gained control of the sphere to come away with a shot. However, the shot was deflected by Chicago defender Sam Staab, who put the ball into her own net.
The offense did not stop for San Diego as Kimmi Ascanio scored a goal in stoppage time to seal the 3-0 result. Kenza Dali fired a shot from outside of the box that was stopped by Stars’ goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
KIMMI ASCANIO FIRST PRO GOAL
pic.twitter.com/8y3bZzJqKC
— San Diego Wave FC (@sandiegowavefc) April 27, 2025
However, Adriana Leon was able to get to the ball off the rebound and passed the ball to Ascanio, who finished the scoring chance with precision. This was Ascanio’s first professional goal, as she has had a nice start to the season with this goal and an assist.
San Diego is on a two-game winning streak and has scored seven goals in these past two games. Both games have been on the road, and the Wave returns home to face Bay FC on May 4.
Francisco, 28, 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 FC, San Diego Wave. I have covered Liga MX, MLS, Mexico National Team, USWNT, Copa América and European clubs like Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.