San Diego Wave FC gears up for fifth NWSL season
San Diego Wave players Adriana Leon, left, Didi Haracic, middle left, and Kiki Pickett, right, smile for fan photos at Balboa Park on March 10, 2026. Photo by Nate Tubbs/EVT
Balboa Park was teeming with Wave faithful this evening for their annual preseason rally event.
SAN DIEGO — Before the festivities officially began, EVT had the chance to hear from San Diego Wave FC goalkeeper DiDi Haracic. The Bosnian keeper, who recently re-signed with San Diego, shared her excitement ahead of the season.
“As a unit, we’re so excited to be out here with the fans and get the season going,” she said.
After finishing last season on a disappointing note against the Portland Thorns and mutually parting ways with Delphine Cascarino and several other players, the Wave FC face a new set of challenges going into their fifth season in the NWSL.
“Everyone who’s come in has stepped up,” Haracic said. “Everyone has a voice, and we’re starting to get that decisiveness and build those relationships.”
The goal of the season remains the same, says Haracic: bring that fabled championship to San Diego. The Wave has gotten about as close as any team in San Diego, with successes like the NWSL Shield (best regular season record) and Challenge Cup under its belt.
What was happening at the rally?
The Wave’s preseason rally consisted of player meet and greets, giveaways, and merch pop-ups, with tons of fans already sporting the team’s new Balboa Park-themed kit.
EVT’s Nate Tubbs had the chance to speak with the group that produces enough bubbles to make SpongeBob giddy, the San Diego Sirens. Group President Tali Lerner says the Sirens have created a community that makes rooting for the team even more meaningful.
“This is the most joyful place you can be on a Saturday night,” Lerner said in anticipation of the season. “The community is incredible, and it’s really been a way for each of us to find a home with the club.”
Another Sirens member, Zakiya Khabir, found this community in a relatable post-pandemic search for human connection.
“[I] was looking for how I was going to reconnect and be in person again,” Khabir said. “I stumbled upon these folks, and it’s been a blast ever since, you know!”
Both superfans have faith that the Wave can wash over their list of challenges ahead of the season, but will surely be there in support regardless. Some are even traveling with the team, or as much as they can at least.
SD Wave FC starts its 2026 campaign at Snapdragon Stadium on March 14 against the Houston Dash. The next home game will be March 25 in a potential revenge match against Portland.
Stay tuned for more Wave coverage throughout the season!
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.