San Diego Wave FC prepare for in-state match against Bay FC on Sunday night

San Diego Wave FC and Bay FC are set to face off for the first time this season in an in-state matchup at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday at 5 p.m. PT.

The Wave (3-1-2, 10 points) are sixth in the NWSL standings, and Bay FC (2-2-2, 8 points) are eighth.

Sunday night’s game will have in-game celebrations in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Wave FC’s website states it will be “a celebration of AAPI culture and traditions.”

The Wave are coming off a 3-0 victory against the Chicago Stars on Apr. 26 at SeatGeek Stadium, breaking a three-game losing streak against the Stars. For the second time in NWSL history, three French players on one team (San Diego’s forward Delphine Cascarino, midfielder Kenza Dali and defender Perle Merroni) contributed to a goal in one game. Cascarino had two goals and an assist, Dali scored a goal and Marroni had an assist.

Bay FC drew 1-1 with the Seattle Reign FC on Apr. 26. Midfielder Racheal Kundananji scored the lone goal for the Bay.

San Diego has had a balanced scoring attack with nine different scorers in six games. They’re led by Cascarino who has scored two goals and assisted on three goals. 17-year-old Wave FC midfielder Kimmy Ascanio has scored her first goal and first assist total in the last two games, emerging as a key contributor for the Wave in her rookie season.

Kiki Pickett has led Bay FC in scoring with two goals this season. Midfielder Joelle Anderson has followed with one goal and two assists. They have had struggling scoring this season despite being .500 on the season. They’ve only had six goals from five different scorers.

Star striker Asisat Oshoala has not yet scored a goal this season, having been demoted to a substitute the past two games. The three-time Champions League winner and Ballon d’Or Féminin nominee led Bay FC in goals last season.

There has been major controversy surrounding Bay FC’s season after an investigation was opened by the NWSL of an alleged toxic “culture” created by head coach Albertin Montoya. They’ve had eight player departures heading into this season, including two explicitly stating they left because of Montoya.