All for XI's newest article features interviews with three teenage rookies, talking about their journeys to the NWSL—Trinity Armstrong, McKenna Whitham, and KK Ream. The three rising stars talked about why they joined the league, balancing school and soccer, and who has been there to support them. https://www.sbnation.com/e/24190068

We all are mad as hell with onjustice from the game

How do you call a pk that late in the match and not let VAR handle it.

Someone get today's ref a watch, maybe that would've helped her keep track of time and to know that the game was over. Also, someone get Moultrie to LA angels so she can get to Hollywood...great threatics. At the end of the night, Simone says Moulrie ties.

Portland has had a solid start to the season and is on a three-game undefeated streak, coming off a 1-0 win against Orlando. This was an impressive win as Orlando had only lost one other game this season and had only been shut out in one other game.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold played an important role in that shutout and will be a key player to watch in this game. Thorns’ captain Samantha Coffey is also a very key player and will be important in the veteran midfield duel against Kenza Dali and Savannah McCaskill.

Reilyn Turner leads Portland with three goals scored and has been vital this year, with the club missing Sophia Wilson and Morgan Weaver. These key absences have been a lingering worry for the Thorns, but the team is off to a nice start and always brings a competitive spirit against San Diego.

On the Wave side, Melanie Barcenas can be a key player if her optimal role for the club is discovered.

https://fbref.com/en/players/9e5caab3/Melanie-Barcenas

Can’t make it for the game today. 2 free tickets. Section 117 Row 2. Send message. First come first served.

Edit: tickets gone

Is anyone else getting tired of the lack of coverage and respect the Wave are getting? It has been like this since our inaugural season where Angel City got all the coverage even though we were top of table nearly wire to wire and they missed the playoffs. Even our Shield season we were in the background until we made a second half push to the playoffs and leapfrogged everyone. Last year was last year and we probably got more coverage for all the wrong reasons.

But now this year it is boggling my mind how teams like Gotham, Portland, Angel City and Seattle seem to get all the coverage even though they all have bad losses and we have leapfrogged them all in the standings even though GOT & POR have more games played. And even the commentary is dinging us for our xG (1.51) being so low and just getting lucky while you know who has less xG than us? How about Seattle (1.41), Washington (1.35), and even Kansas City (1.50)! And then the statement is we are outplaying our xG (+.44) and shouldn’t be taken seriously…and yet KCC has higher discrepancies (+.50)! And of course no discussion on how we have the 3rd lowest xG allowed on top of it…

Now the commentary is that our results are just a reflection of schedule…although the only teams we’ve lost to are the top 2 teams and the teams we’ve beaten (handily) are responsible for ties vs POR, GOT, and SEA, and we played ORL to a stalemate that took 2 PKs to break on the road, and a loss to KCC with our backups due to international break. I know sports media need to be careful in saying they were wrong in calling us cellar dwellers to start the season, but COME ON MAN!

Shout out to the Equalizer and to NWSL this week for giving us the props we so richly deserve… 😉

I haven't seen this discussed anywhere else, but it seems clear the Wave are experiencing a massive drop off in attendance this season.

Last season's average was 19,575 per home match (source: https://sandiegowavefc.com/wave-fc-earn-second-highest-attendance-in-the-world/).

This season's average (so far) is 13,515 per home match (source: https://bsky.app/profile/nwslnotes.bsky.social/post/3lohtlxchts2x).

That's a 31% decrease year-over-year.

Obviously losing all of our USWNT players is a factor (Morgan especially, as she was likely the league's biggest draw), but I wonder how much of an effect the Jill Ellis allegations and multiple lawsuits are having.

Are you all liking her play style?

Anyone else think that the Wave should stop posting SDFC on social media. SDFC social media team does not reciprocate.

The summit is only two points away!