San Diego Wave looks to get its third-straight win to start the season as they travel to Lumen Field to take on the OL Reign on April 15. SD Wave and OL Reign faced each other four times in 2022, twice during the NWSL Challenge Cup, with the Wave going 0-2-2 against the team from Seattle.

“Obviously, it’s another big test for us, our first test on the road, against a very good team,” said San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney. “We’ve also had a lot of internationals away, but so have they. I think we’re prepared as best we can be and it’s going to be a challenging test but one we’re looking forward to.”

San Diego Wave are coming off back-to-back home victories over the Chicago Red Stars 3-2 and North Carolina Courage 3-1 and are currently sitting tied on top of the standings with the Portland Thorns both with six points. OL is coming, off a 2-0 win over Gotham FC in their most recent match after opening the season with a 1-0 defeat to the Washington Spirit.

“I don’t think preparation is much different, I think we just know that we’re going to go into a tough environment,” said Wave defender Kristen McNabb. “We’re just aware of how they play and what dangers they will bring in their game. We’re definitely prepared for it.”

McNabb was selected by the OL Reign as the 37th overall selection in the 2017 NWSL College Draft making her debut for that club during the season opener against Sky Blue FC. San Diego acquired McNabb with the fourth pick in the 2022 expansion draft from OL Reign.

The Wave will travel home after Saturday’s match in Seattle to play against the Portland Thorns on April 19 for the NWSL Challenge Cup opener at Snapdragon Stadium.

PLAYER TO WATCH

Midfielder Rose Lavelle will be a player San Diego will definitely need to account for on the defensive end because of her outstanding technical abilities and sixth sense when it comes to recovering balls in the midfield. Lavelle scored the game-winning goal versus the Wave in their first regular season matchup on May 29, 2022 thanks to a beautiful 75th-minute header and got the assist on the tying goal in the 38th minute of their second regular-season meeting on June 12 at Snapdragon Stadium.

Photos by David Frerker