With anticipation regarding the release of the 2022 NWSL regular season schedule only growing, at least we now know who San Diego Wave Fútbol Club will be playing in the Challenge Cup starting on March 19. The Wave, led by head coach Casey Stoney, takes on Angel City FC at Cal State Fullerton.
This match will be the first of two between the two expansion teams during the month-long tournament along with two matches against the Portland Thorns, and O.L. Reign. “When I came in here, I said to the players that it’s a blank canvas for everybody,” said head coach Casey Stoney. “Everyone comes in with the same opportunities and I want everybody to fight for spots.”
Their first opponent, Angel City FC, made early headlines with the signing of USWNT star Christen Press in August of 2021. Among other big names who have since joined the team are her USWNT teammate Julie Ertz, LIGA MX star Stefany Ferrer, Jamaican national team captain Allyson Swaby, and Japan national team striker Jun Endo.
“It’s definitely going to be a good rivalry,” said Angel City FC investor and USWNT legend Shannon MacMillan. “You think of how long the NWSL has been around now and there hasn’t been anything in Southern California. Now we have two teams, that is just something special and I think it’s great for the women’s game.”
The second team that San Diego Wave will face is the two-time NWSL champion and defending Challenge Cup winners Portland Thorns. Portland is arguably the most popular team in the league enjoying the highest average attendance in each of their first seven seasons setting a league attendance record of 25,218 on Aug. 11, 2019, match against the North Carolina Courage.
The third team that San Diego will face in the tournament is OL Reign, which recently re-signed USWNT midfielders Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe. Six of their teammates will be busy traveling around the world for matches during the February FIFA window including Alana Cook, Sofia Huerta, Quinn, Jess Fishlock, Jimena López, and Angelina have all been called up to their national teams but will be back and ready to go once the Challenge Cup starts.
San Diego Wave FC fans should not despair, since general manager and president Jill Ellis has done a fantastic job of acquiring some of the best talent available to make the team a contender in their inaugural season. Among these players are the team’s first signing, defender Abby Dahlkemper, two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan, along with Katie Johnson who helped Mexico to the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2018. They will be joined by Swedish national team star Sofia Jakobsson and her former teammate at Chelsea, Carly Telford, along with Kelsey Turnbow, Marleen Schimmer, Kaleigh Riehl, and current Olympic gold medalist for Canada Kailen Sheridan.
“We’ve got adaptable players here that can play many positions, which you have to have,” Stoney added. “I’m really pleased. I look at our roster and I’m more than happy with where we’re at.”
San Diego Wave FC will be sharing Torero Stadium on the University of San Diego campus with San Diego Loyal until Snapdragon Stadium is ready for play later this year. For more information, visit https://sandiegowavefc.com/.
