San Diego Wave FC announced that Casey Stoney has signed a multi-year contract extension that will keep her through the 2027 season and offers a mutual option for 2028. 

“Signing a new contract is massive to me on a personal level. I think it shows commitment from the club to me, and it shows my commitment to continue to grow this club and hopefully have more success here,” Stoney said in an interview released to the press. 

Stoney led the club to plenty of success in her first two seasons, with the club being the first coach to bring an NWSL expansion team into the playoffs and, a season later, leading the club to a Supporter’s Shield for securing the best point total at the end of the season. 

“In two years with the Wave, Casey has established herself as not just one of the top coaches in the league but also on the global stage,” Wave FC President Jill Ellis said. “When we brought Casey on board, we were confident that her exceptional leadership qualities, coupled with her extensive experience as both a player and coach at the highest levels, would make her the perfect fit for San Diego, and she has more than exceeded our high expectations. Her commitment and passion for winning, developing our young players, and her loyalty to this club and city speaks volumes to who she is as a coach and as a person.” 

Many considered Stoney to be one of the prime candidates for the opening at Chelsea FC, which is one of the best jobs in Women’s club soccer that is open as Emma Hayes left to lead the USWNT, but The Sunday Times reported that Stoney wished to remain in the NWSL. 

Stoney’s biggest impact thus far has been her ability to develop young players into international stars including Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw who started their professional careers under Stoney and blossomed into mainstays on the USWNT. 

“As a coach, I’ve always had a higher purpose than just winning. I’ve got two little girls and a little boy, and I’ll always say my job is to make sure this game is accessible to everyone,” Stoney said. “My job is to make sure that my little girls have the same opportunities as my little boy, and my job is to make sure that every little girl sitting in that stand watching our team has a dream to play for San Diego Wave.”

Abraham Zepeda

Abraham Zepeda is a bilingual Chula Vista Native covering the Tijuana Xolos for EVT. He spent the summer of 2022 covering San Diego Loyal SC and San Diego Wave FC. He is also currently a student at the University of Oregon pursuing a degree in journalism.