San Diego Strikers head coach Ray Taila and Women’s Premier League Commissioner Rich Sparling spoke over the phone last week to discuss the way the team’s season came to an end on July 8 after their playoff match against Miss Kick FC at Mission Bay High School in Pacific Beach.

While no one can complain about a season that ends in a WPSL Plymouth Division title, their second in two seasons, along with the best regular season record in the conference, the story of the 2022 San Diego Strikers did not end there.

“Rich (Sparling) and I had a productive conversation where we discussed my point of contention as to what my impressions were given prior to the playoff game,” said Taila. “He then provided me a detailed email explaining his findings and how to prevent this type of miscommunication in the future.”

At issue was whether or not the Strikers were promised a trip to regionals regardless of the result of the postseason match versus Miss Kick. The game ended in a 3-1 extra time loss for San Diego where Taila says that his substitutions and game plan were based on that perception.

According to Taila, the conversation went on for about 15 minutes and the email he received from WPSL commissioner Sparling included a section detailing that potential wild card teams will now be notified in writing as to the scenarios in which they can expect a wildcard invitation.

“I was satisfied with what I heard and read from the commissioner,” Taila added. “I was proud of my team and how they conducted themselves on and off the pitch.”

The commissioner was emailed late last week for comment but as of press time, there was no comment provided. As for the current WPSL postseason picture, the final four teams are set to do battle this Friday, July 22, as California Storm takes on Nashville Rhythm FC in the first semifinal followed by Colorado Rapids Women facing off with SJEB FC in the second semifinal.