Game: San Diego Wave vs. Gotham FC

Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego

When: Sunday, May 12, 2024

Time: 4:30 p.m. PST

TV: ion, Fox 5, KUSI

The San Diego Wave will play their second-consecutive home game this Sunday, May 12, at Snapdragon Stadium against Gotham FC.

The first game in this home stand was a very positive 2-0 win against expansion team Utah Royals in what was a pretty straightforward win for San Diego.

The Wave is still dealing with the same injuries, as Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma, Abby Dahlkemper, Sofia Jakobbson, and Melanie Barcenas are all unavailable. Kristen McNabb will be coming back from a one-game ban and will likely step into a center-back role alongside Kennedy Wesley, who has been impressive so far.

Jaedyn Shaw was the star of the show against Utah as she scored a goal from the penalty spot and provided a golden assist on Makenzy Doniak’s goal. The substitutions Casey Stoney made in the game against Utah were crucial to the victory, with Makenzy Doniak, Emily van Egmond, and Savannah McCaskill being important for the victory.

16-year-old Kimmi Ascanio started her second-ever NWSl game and ended up making a positive impact as her shot led to a penalty via a handball. Casey Stoney does not have an ideal starting 11, and it would not be surprising to see some changes to the starting 11 after that midweek clash against the Royals.

Maria Sanchez started her first game with the Wave but did not have the best performance, as it will be interesting to see if the Mexican international gets another shot to start on Sunday. Savannah McCaskill played just a few minutes against Utah, and it would not be surprising at all to see the veteran get a start against a very experienced Gotham team.

The Current NWSL Champions are having some injury problems as well with Tierna Davidson, Svava Gudmunsdottir, Sinead Farrelly, Kelley O’ Hara, Midge Purce, Abby Smith, Taylor Smith, Katie Stengel and McCall Zerboni all out. Gotham still has a stacked squad featuring players like Lynn Williams, Esther Gonzalez, Crystal Dunn, and Jenna Nighswonger. It will also be interesting to see former Chelsea goalkeeper An  Katrin Berger now in net for Gotham and if she can have an impact on the match.

Gotham is on a three-game undefeated streak and will be motivated to keep that streak going, considering the far-from-ideal start to the season. However, these two teams faced off for the NWSL Challenge Cup and the Wave came away with a 1-0 victory with a goal by Alex Morgan.

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.