This is the second and final regular-season meeting between these two clubs in 2025. The last encounter ended in a dramatic 1–1 draw at Audi Field, with Jaedyn Shaw scoring for San Diego and Croix Bethune equalizing in stoppage time for Washington. The Spirit enter this match riding high after a 4–1 rout of Kansas City, while the Wave are winless in their last five and looking to snap a frustrating skid.
San Diego Wave FC: Searching for a Spark at Home
Record: 3–8–6 (15 points, 11th place)
Last Match: 2–1 loss vs Angel City FC
Goals Scored: 13 (0.76 per match)
Goals Conceded: 19 (1.12 per match)
Strengths:
Defensive Backbone: Despite their record, San Diego has conceded just 19 goals—tied with Washington for third-fewest in the league.
Set-Piece Threat: Abby Dahlkemper scored her first goal of the season off a María Sánchez free kick last week.
Veteran Leadership: Alex Morgan and Naomi Girma anchor a squad with championship pedigree.
Concerns:
Offensive Struggles: The Wave have scored just 3 goals in their last 5 matches.
Coaching Transition: Landon Donovan is serving as interim head coach through the end of the season.
Roster Shakeup: Dahlkemper was traded to Bay FC this week, leaving a leadership void in the backline.
Washington Spirit: Riding Momentum and Midfield Magic
Record: 7–1–4 (25 points, 2nd place)
Last Match: 4–1 win vs Kansas City Current
Goals Scored: 24 (2.00 per match)
Goals Conceded: 19 (1.58 per match)
Strengths:
Elite Playmaking: Rookie Croix Bethune leads the NWSL with 10 assists, tying Tobin Heath’s single-season record.
Olympic Firepower: Trinity Rodman, Leicy Santos, and Paige Metayer all scored in last week’s win.
Road Warriors: The Spirit are unbeaten in their last 5 away matches.
Concerns:
Travel Fatigue: Cross-country trip after a high-intensity win could test squad depth.
Defensive Gaps: Despite recent wins, the Spirit have conceded in 10 of 12 matches.
Head-to-Head & Recent Trends
| Category | San Diego Wave FC | Washington Spirit |
| Last 5 Matches | L–D–L–L–D | W–W–D–L–W |
| Home Record | 2–3–2 | — |
| Away Record | — | 4–0–1 |
| All-Time Series | Spirit lead 2–1–2 | — |
| Last Meeting | 1–1 Draw (June 15, 2025) | — |
Washington is unbeaten in 5 straight road matches
San Diego has not won since April 27
Over 2.5 goals has hit in 4 of Washington’s last 5 matches
Players to Watch
San Diego Wave:
María Sánchez: 3 assists in her last 5 matches; key on set pieces.
Jaedyn Shaw: Scored in the last meeting vs Washington; creative spark.
Naomi Girma: U.S. Olympic captain and defensive anchor.
Washington Spirit:
Croix Bethune: 10 assists, 3 goals; leads NWSL in chance creation.
Trinity Rodman: 6 goals, 4 assists; dynamic on the wing.
Leicy Santos: Scored and assisted in her NWSL debut last week.
Projected Score:
Washington Spirit 2, San Diego Wave FC 1
MATCH ODDS
San Diego Wave – 125 Draw + 295 Washington Spirit + 270
Over 2.5 – 145 Under 2.5 + 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, June 21, 2025
