Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC vs. Angel City FC
Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California – Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 PM ET
Players to watch:
San Diego forward Alex Morgan struck twice in the loss to the Spirit for her fourth multi-goal game of the season, after having three such games total between 2013 and 2021. It was the first time Morgan’s team has lost a game when she scored two or more goals (W5 D1 L1). Morgan’s 15 goals are the most in the league this season, as are her five goals from the penalty spot, as the forward holds a four goal advantage in the Golden Boot race.
Morgan will have to face Angel City goalkeeper DiDi Haracic, though, who made five saves in the loss to the Courage which is her fifth game this season with five or more saves. Unfortunately, Angel City has lost four of those five (D1), while the team has lost just two of the 13 games in which Haracic has made fewer than five saves (W7 D4).
Match facts: Expansions side San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC clash at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego’s home opener at the all-new, state of the art facility. With the special occasion, the Wave have already sold out the 35,000-seat venue ahead of the only other league meeting between the two sides this season.
San Diego is coming off a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to Washington, with three of the Spirit’s goals coming in the first half. The Wave have allowed 12 first-half goals this season compared to a league-low seven in the second half of games in 2022. Prior to that, though, San Diego had won their previous two matches by a combined 5-1 scoreline with Morgan scoring on both occasions.
Meanwhile, Angel City fell by a single goal and were shutout against North Carolina on Wednesday, ending a five-game unbeaten streak for the team. ACFC faced 22 shots in the match, though, which marked the fifth time it has allowed 20+ shots in a game this season. That amount is tied with Gotham FC for most such games in 2022.
The much-anticipated rematch has San Diego still chasing a place in the Road for the Shield, while Angel City is pursuing a playoff place and also needs a result. The first meeting between the two teams saw Angel City take all three points in a 2-1 win, with Ali Riley and Claire Emslie on the scoresheet for the hosts Angel City and Kristen McNabb on the other side for San Diego.
