Categories: NWSLPortland ThornsProst InternationalSan Diego Wave

San Diego Wave have chance to top the table as they welcome Portland Thorns tomorrow

Jonas Eidevall shows his gratitude to supporters (Photo by Alex Burstow via Getty Images)

San Diego Wave return to Snapdragon Stadium as they hope to extend their winning streak to four games at 7 p.m. PT tomorrow.

Jonas Eidevall’s side have scored nine goals in their last three matches and recent victories have moved them up to third in the NWSL standings.

Just two points off the top spot, the Wave welcome fifth place Portland Thorns who themselves are only three points off league leaders KC Current.

The Portland Thorns, whose name is derived from Portland’s nickname as the “City of Roses,” have never beaten the Wave at Snapdragon and last won in San Diego during the Wave’s inaugural 2022 season.

With eleven different Wave players having already made their way onto the scoresheet this campaign, it’s difficult to pinpoint someone specific to look out for. One stand out performer, however, is German international Gia Corley, who has two goals under her belt already. The former Bayern Munich forward became the sixth player in NWSL history to score in her opening two club appearances and has already featured in an NWSL Team of the Month.

Rob Gale’s Thorns will be no push over for the SoCal side. The Pacific Northwestern outfit also head into the weekend unbeaten from their last three games and with eight goals from those ties.

“This is a Portland team who have been playing very well recently. They are dynamic with a lot of different threats that we need to try to neutralize with a good defense,” said Wave Head Coach Eidevall.

“We will need to work the ball well to break down their defense and create goal scoring opportunities.”

Eidevall, who has placed an emphasis on working together as a team, reflected on the reasons behind his side’s improved performances.

“It comes down to individuals who are doing a lot with their opportunities,” said the Swede.

“It comes down to the environment that these individuals are thriving, developing and learning in.

“I think it’s important to recognize that this year is a re-build for us and we need to have players that can be good today, but more importantly, good tomorrow. That’s where our young talent really can come into the picture.

“From the beginning I have said that finishing in the Play-Offs is our aim. I think it’s really important to get there by learning, developing and growing.

“I know where we want to go and what we need to do in order to do so. We’re very focused on that. What we are trying to do is to control the game both in offense and defense and we’re doing that with our decision making. I don’t know if that’s a European way of looking at the game, but it’s our way of doing things.”

The 2025 NWSL season is now the first where every team is required to have both a mental health provider and a mental health performance consultant available to players. With new mental health resources available to his team, Eidevall stressed the importance of player care.

“Mental health in elite sports is so important. There is no doubt that players are under a lot of pressure both on and off the pitch. It is so important to utilize those resources. The club historically have been a pioneer in the league and have invested resources to cover these services. This is a really important area to San Diego in the past, present and will continue to be in the future as well.”