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San Diego Wave 2 : 0 Portland Thorns
It’s the hope that kills you. Result after result seemed to end San Diego Wave’s distant playoff dreams. But elsewhere, other sides above them kept losing too and the gap never stretched beyond six points.
Or two wins.
Still that seemed a yawning chasm to fans whose side had only won three games all season.
Two victories in the last three games has changed that dynamic.
Struggling visitors Portland Thorns dominated the first half and the bulk of the action seemed firmly entrenched in the Wave half. Chances were missed but it only seemed a matter of time before the inevitable Cascadian onslaught in the second half.
After all, Wave had not managed a single on target effort in the first.
But whatever Landon Donovan said to his team at half time not only spurred a reset but arguably spurred some of the Wave’s best soccer of the season.
With Melanie Barcenas and Delphine Cascarino outstanding, the Thorns found themselves increasingly on the backfoot. Best of all, 2024 NWSL Draft pick Mya Jones looked as much a first team starter as she has ever done and her goal, the opener, can only serve to accelerate that process.
Jones’ 69th minute goal was mostly down to Kristen McNabb who won a heroic header outjumping Thorns keeper Mackenzie Arnold. On the goalline, Jones literally stuck her chest out and forced the ball over the line.
Barcenas scored the second five minutes later. The ball was goalward but took a cruel deflection. Nonetheless, it was her goal though far from the only impact she made in here brief half hour substitue cameo performance. She replaced Makenzy Doniak and Donovan now has a pleasant selection dilemma.
Cascarino tortured the Thorns defence. On the evidence of the last 45 minutes, the side is now begining to meld in the post Alex Morgan era.
Wave move to a record of 5W-7D-10L but leap up to 10th. Racing Louisville also have four games left and lie in 8th on 25 points, just three ahead of the San Diego side.
Bay FC also lie on 22 points but have five games remaining, starting with a trip to Seattle on 20 points today. A Seattle win would add them into the mix for that final playoff place.
Bay FC have a worse goal difference than Louisville so Wave, Angel City and Seattle might see them as more catchable but the reality is that both they and Louisville need to be overhauled
NWSL 2024 PLAYOFF RACE
| Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7. Portland Thorns | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | -1 | 28 |
| 8. Racing Louisville | 22 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 25 |
| 9. Bay FC | 21 | 8 | 1 | 12 | -8 | 25 |
| 10. San Diego Wave | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | -7 | 22 |
| 11. Angel City | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | -11 | 22 |
| 12. Seattle Reign | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | -12 | 20 |
| 13. Utah Royals | 22 | 5 | 3 | 14 | -19 | 18 |
| 14. Houston Dash | 22 | 4 | 5 | 13 | -20 | 17 |
The Thorns’ loss is their sixth straight game without a win. If that continues through the season to 10, they may surrender a playoff role to the chasing pack. They have a home tie against second bottom Utah up next. They can probably bury that fear with a win that would take them to 31 points.
On the bright side for the Rose City club, Olivia Moultrie just turned 19 twelve days ago and was outstanding for the Thorns. She has an immense future in the game and is sure to add to her four international caps.
Wave have a difficult trip to North Carolina who beat them comfortably in San Diego just four games ago.
Who was to know then just how much progress the Wave would make so quickly?
