Game: San Diego Wave vs. Orlando Pride

Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

When: Friday, June 7, 2024

Time: 7:00 p.m. PST

TV: Amazon Prime Video

The San Diego Wave will play their 11th game of the 2024 NWSL season this Friday, June 7, against Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium.

The Wave are winless in their last three games, while Orlando Pride are currently top of the NWSL table.

San Diego is coming off a hard-fought scoreless draw against Angel City away from home in what was an intense goalkeeper duel between Kailen Sheridan and Dijana Haracic. This match in Los Angeles was Alex Morgan’s first game coming back from injury, and the entire squad is healthy after several weeks of dealing with injuries and fitness issues.

However, both Alex Morgan and Jaedyn Shaw started a friendly match for the USWNT against South Korea back on June 4, and it is unclear if either player will start this match. The USWNT had a pair of very successful friendlies against South Korea, defeating the AFC side 3-0 and 4-0, although both Morgan and Shaw were unable to score.

San Diego’s biggest problem all season long has been on the offensive side of the pitch, as the Wave have only scored nine goals this season, which is second worst in the NWSL. Casey Stoney’s team needs to start producing more, and now, with a healthy squad on hand, this has the potential to be the perfect time to start being more clinical in front of the net.

Orlando Pride is on a massive eight-game winning streak and is undefeated in 11 games to start this 2024 campaign. Unlike the Wave, the Pride is dealing with several injuries, with Angelina, Celia, Jimenez Simone Charley, Luana, Megan Montefusco, and Viviana Villacorta all out. The biggest absences for Orlando are Luana and Angelina in the midfield, but the team has been managing fine with injuries in the past few games.

Orlando has a very strong side with a Brazilian core featuring Adriana, Rafaelle, and the legendary Marta. Barbra Banda has been taking the league by storm, currently tied with most goals (8) in the NWSL with Sophia Smith in her debut season. Banda was previously playing in China, but really showcased part of her potential at the World Cup and is now being dominant in one of the best leagues in the world. The Wave will need to tightly mark Banda and watch for crosses from creative players like Marta and Adriana.

This is set to be an extremely tough game for the San Diego Wave and they are the underdog team even with the home-field advantage.

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.