San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, the newest member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), will play its first competitive match against fellow Southern California expansion club Angel City FC as part of the third annual NWSL Challenge Cup at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. The match will be played at Titan Stadium at California State Fullerton, the temporary home of Angel City.
Wave FC’s first home match will take place one week later, at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26 against Portland Thorns at Torero Stadium on the University of San Diego campus.
The third-annual Challenge Cup features will feature three regional groups of four teams as part of an expanded 39-game preseason tournament. The groups will compete in double round-robin matches ahead of the semifinal round and the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Saturday, May 7. Details regarding the broadcast schedule for the tournament are forthcoming.
The West region is made of up San Diego Wave FC, Angel City FC, OL Reign, and Portland Thorns FC. The East region includes NJ/NY Gotham FC, the North Carolina Courage, Orlando Pride, and the Washington Spirit. The Central region features the Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, and Racing Louisville FC. For the full NWSL Challenge Cup rules and regulations that differ from NWSL’s regular-season policies and procedures, click here.
San Diego Wave Fútbol Club announced its preseason, opening day roster as training camp opened in February at the San Diego Polo Fields in Del Mar. The Club began its six-week training camp in preparation for the NWSL Challenge Cup. Following the Challenge Cup, a 22-game regular season will begin in which Wave FC will play each team in the league twice, once home and away.
Led by head coach Casey Stoney, Wave FC begin their inaugural campaign with 34 players on the preseason roster.
Player Roster
Alex Morgan leads Wave FC’s front line alongside former teammate and England international Jodie Taylor, both acquired via trade with Orlando Pride. Goalscorer and Swedish international Sofia Jakobsson joins by way of a transfer from Bayern Munich. A trio of attacking players acquired from a trade with Chicago Red Stars include Mexican international Katie Johnson, Makenzy Doniak, and Kelsey Turnbow, who was drafted in 2021 but will make her NWSL debut this season.
Abby Dahlkemper will hold down the backline alongside NWSL No. 1 draft pick Naomi Girma and 2021 NWSL champion Tegan McGrady. Behind them in goal will be 2021 NWSL Best XI Member and Olympic gold medalist Kailen Sheridan acquired via trade from Gotham FC, and England mainstay Carly Telford, who recently transferred from Chelsea FC.
Teammates Emily van Egmond and Taylor Kornieck acquired from Orlando Pride, marshal the midfield for Wave FC during year one. Wave FC’s 2022 NWSL draft picks Marleen Schimmer, Sydney Pulver, Belle Briede, Kayla Bruster aim to make an immediate impact in their professional debuts.
2022 San Diego Wave FC Preseason Roster
GOALKEEPERS (4): Kailen Sheridan, Carly Telford (NYR), Melissa Lowder (NRI), Emory Wegener (NRI).
DEFENDERS (10): Abby Dahlkemper, Naomi Girma (NDP), Kaleigh Riehl (EDP), Kristen McNabb (EDP), Christen Westphal, Tegan McGrady, Mia Gyau, Kayla Bruster (NRI), Megan Reid (NRI), Taylor Hansen (NRI).
MIDFIELDERS (10): Taylor Kornieck, Kelsey Turnbow, Emily van Egmond (NYR), Marleen Schimmer (NDP), Sydney Pulver (NDP), Belle Briede (NDP), Meleana Shim (NRI), Sydney Zandi (NRI), Taylor Porter (NRI).
FORWARDS (10): Alex Morgan, Jodie Taylor, Sofia Jakobsson (NYR), Amirah Ali, Katie Johnson, Makenzy Doniak, Ru Machera (NRI), Sarah Sodoma (NRI), Emerson Layne (NRI).
NRI: Non-Roster Invitee
NDP: ‘22 NWSL Draft Pick
EDP: Expansion Draft Pick
NYR: Not Yer Reported
Technical Staff
Working alongside Stoney is first assistant coach Rich Gunny, who joined from Portland Thorns, and second assistant Victoria Boardman. Louis Hunt takes over as goalkeeper coach. Boardman and Hunt both have ties to the community, having recently served in coaching capacities for local San Diego soccer clubs.
Rounding out the technical staff is Michael Poma, head of analytics, Lorna Harkins, mental wellbeing and performance coach, Buddy Huttanus, head of sports science, Bailey Torrez, head of medical, Alex Bosse, head of equipment and Lizzy Rivas, team administrator.
Fans can visit www.SanDiegoWaveFC.com/tickets to learn more about the club, 2022 seat deposits, and purchase official club merchandise featuring the newly released crest and colors. Fans can also follow Wave FC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter (@SanDiegoWaveFC), and join the conversation while using the #WaveFC hashtag.
