The San Diego Wave’s first road trip outside of California this season was bound to be a long road in more ways than one.
The Orlando Pride are the reigning National Women’s Soccer League Cup champions, a powerhouse that finished first in the regular season last year before dominating the playoffs.
To face Orlando at 9 a.m. San Diego time after 3,000 miles through the air? A bigger challenge.
Given that context, the Wave acquitted themselves nicely in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Inter&Co Stadium.
San Diego pulled even 1-1 in the 62nd minute, when Chiamaka Okwuchukwu used her head to punch Kenza Dali’s lofted into the back of the net.
However, Orlando was awarded a penalty kick 12 minutes later, and Marta connected with a goal to give the Pride a lead that lasted.
The kick was the single-named superstar’s second in a row. Her first attempt missed, but officials ruled that a Wave player had entered the box before the shot. Given a second chance, Marta delivered the game-winner.
“Against a team like that, you need to punish them when you get the momentum,” Dali said. “We didn’t do that.”
Orlando improved to 3-0-0, while SDFC fell to 1-1-1.
Okwuchukwu’s goal will have a unique place in Wave history. Saturday marked her NWSL debut. She entered in the 60th minute, and within mere moments made her presence felt. The goal was the quickest in the NWSL since June 2021, when Ebony Salmon of Racing Louisville scored in a similarly sudden fashion. The goal was the first surrendered by Orlando this year.
Wave coach Jonas Eidevall said he thought the team’s overall performance “was quite good.”
“I think it’s an even game,” he said.
Notable
The Wave controlled the ball 55.6% of the time against Orlando.
• Okwuchukwu wasn’t the only Wave player to make her NWSL debut on Saturday. Defender Quincy McMahon, who played for UCLA last fall, entered in the second half.
• Saturday’s starting 11 featured players from nine countries, tied for most in NWSL history.
• The Wave are off until April 12, when they take on the Kansas City Current at Snapdragon Stadium. FIFA’s one-week international break affects all NWSL teams.
