Naomi Girma’s departure overshadows Wave’s 2025 schedule release

If the 2024 season was not bad enough for the San Diego Wave, many of their fans might argue the off season has been even worse.

On the upside, they have recruited their fourth coach in two seasons with the arrival of Jonas Eidevall. Despite that, he is only the second full-time head coach ever having joined Casey Stoney and the two interim managers Paul Buckle and Landon Donovan.

The 41-year-old Swede Eidevall, 41, most recently managed Arsenal Women, where he led the female Gunners to three consecutive top-three finishes in the Women’s Super League (WSL), three league cups and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (2023).

But he takes over a club in turmoil. Last season’s finish was poor and some might argue the performances were even poorer.

Top players kept leaving, they had three coaches and so far unsubstantiated acusations of staff mistreatment hovered around the club on social media.

[Jonas Eidevall explains NWSL move, talks time with Arsenal & biggest challenge | Attacking Third]

Jill Ellis seemed to be the target of many accusations and when she left the club for a job at FIFA, there was some sense that the club could move on.

This feeling was even evident in a statement given by Owner Lauren Leichtman to the club’s own website:

“Jonas’s arrival marks the beginning of a new era for San Diego Wave FC.

“His leadership, vision, and track record of success make him an excellent fit for this role to guide our club forward.

“We are excited for this next chapter and are confident Jonas will build a culture within the team that not only competes for championships but also inspires our fans and represents the values of San Diego.”

His tone was very much of renewal and it can probably be assumed that his words targeted at many in the fan base who had become disillusioned both at the bad results and the bad headlines. The abhorrence was compounded by the seemingly crass step of threats to counter sue the accusers, when public opinion, for right or for wrong, seemed to sympathise with them.

Five former employees have now filed suit against the club claiming discrimination, harassment and wrongful termination, among other allegations. It should be restated that so far nothing has been proved and no-one at the club found to have acted inappropriately.

This site will not prejudge the outcome.

Attention soon turned to the squad and the number of players departing.

Delphine Cascarino will begin hir first full season for SD Wave in 2025
Photo: San Diego Wave FC

Two seasons ago, the end-of-season awards were notable with Wave players dominating:

Alex Morgan won the Golden Boot, Kailen Sheridan won Goalkeeper of the Year, Casey Stoney was named as Coach of the Yeara and Naomi Girma took away both the Defender of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

With Girma’s imminent departure to Chelsea, that would mean three of four have either retired or left. Addiitonally, it has to be said that Sheridan had a poor season with too many misjudgments inside her six yard box and headstrong charges outside it that led to red cards.

The highly rated Jaedyn Shaw went to North Carolina. Abby Dahlkemper, Emily van Egmond, Sofia Jakobsson and Christen Westphal are among the other more highly featured departures.

But the departure of Girma seems to have hit the fan base especially hard as the defender was acknowledged to be among the best in the world and having only recently returned from injury, seemed to have plenty to offer the Wave in 2025.

However 2025 will be the first full season for quality players such as Maria Sanchez, Delphine Cascarino, Perle Morroni and most recent recruit Chiamaka Okwuchukwu.

Fans who had mere glimpses of Cascarino especially last season have cause to be excited.

In some respects, it may even be advisable to Eidevall to have as many of his own players, or at least those not too stuck in previous ways at his disposal.

Wave kick off on March16th away to local rivals Angel City and make thier home debut on March 22 against Utah Royals.

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