The San Diego Wave is currently living one of its worst stints in franchise history, currently on an eight-game winless streak, and just hit rock bottom on Friday night.

The Wave lost 3-0 to the Chicago Red Stars in a game that had the potential to be wildly different had the finishing for San Diego been better.

Alex Morgan even missed a penalty in this match, demonstrating that the team is suffering in many different aspects of the game. Naomi Girma also scored an own goal in this match where seemingly everything that could go wrong did go wrong.

San Diego had 16 shots in this match and absolutely nothing to show for it, which has been a common trend throughout this season. The Wave have been shut out in five games this season and have scored a goal or less in 12 out of 15 games.

It is clear that the offense is the huge problem with this San Diego team’s downfall. Alex Morgan, Jaedyn Shaw, and new signing Maria Sanchez are unable to gel together to provide a formidable attack.

The firing of Casey Stoney was very controversial and not well received by a grand majority of the Wave fans. Stoney had built a culture in this San Diego Wave side that transcended much more than the results on the pitch. There is no easy replacement for a coach like Casey Stoney, and clearly, the interim Paul Buckle is not the long-term answer.

Stoney had been in similar negative streaks in the past, but always found a way to prevail, but this time the front office lost its patience. This decision may cost the Wave even a place in the NWSL playoffs and may have even more severe long-term repercussions.

Alex Morgan is arguably living the worst season of her career with no goals in nine games played, and that penalty miss against Chicago meant that much more. Morgan was just left off the USWNT Olympic squad and clearly is in need to get going this season and in need of a string head coach.

A replacement for Casey Stoney may just turn out to be the most difficult ask in the NWSL, and now the Wave is living in a dark abyss with a very uncertain future.

The San Diego Wave will play Portland on July 5 in a regular season match and then will play in the NWSL x Liga MX Summer Cup starting on July 20. There is a break in between that will hopefully allow San Diego to find a head coach and try to transition into the final part of this NWSL season.

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.