The San Diego Wave are riding a three-game win streak as they prepare to face the Boston Legacy for the first time.
As San Diego travels east, it’s also venturing into the unknown. Friday marks the club’s first trip to Foxborough, Mass., and its first matchup against the expansion team.
Though there’s just a few games’ worth of Boston film to watch, Wave coach Jonas Eidevall has an idea of what the Wave are up against.
“Tough team to play against,” he said. “Physically strong, working really hard together. Doesn’t concede a lot of chances with the way that they’re playing.”
Boston (0-3-0) has made opponents work through the first three games of its inaugural season. Gotham FC managed just one goal against the Legacy. Houston scored three and Utah added two.
Still, the winless Legacy find themselves at the bottom of the National Women’s Soccer League standings. Their minus-5 goal differential is tied for second-worst in the league.
The Wave, meanwhile, are 3-1-0, tied for first place in the NWSL standings. The club has posted nine points through four matches, which is tied for the strongest start in club history.
One of the biggest revelations to start the season has been the emergence of midfielder Lia Godfrey, who has been clutch in all three victories.
Godfrey was named the NWSL Rookie of the Month for March after producing three goals in three starts, an honor announced Thursday morning.
“I think she’s been impressive coming off the bench and when she’s starting games,” Eidevall said. “She’s played different roles for us. During that time, she’s handled the left very well. As I said before, I think she’s had a really good preseason that set her up well for the start of the season, and now she needs to build on.”
Godfrey’s scoring run began in Utah, where she netted the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute. Three days later, she put the Wave up 2-1 on Portland with a 27th-minute goal. Last Saturday, she broke through in the 56th minute to give San Diego a 1-0 lead.
Two of Godfrey’s goals came off assists from Dudihna, signaling strong chemistry between the two. Kenza Dali assisted on Godfrey’s goal against Utah.
“It’s a boost of confidence to start strong, like I did this past month,” Godfrey said. “But I’m just looking to keep it going. It’s a long season. There’s a lot more games, and I just need to keep up the performances for the rest of the year.”
Both Eidevall and Godfrey emphasized the importance of staying focused on Friday’s match and not looking ahead to the upcoming international break, when several players will depart for national team duty.
The priority remains securing three points against Boston and potentially breaking the four-way tie at the top of the standings.
“That’s the next game is the most important one,” Eidevall said. “We played some great soccer here in the last games. There’s plenty of things to build on.”
San Diego Wave (3-1-0) vs. Boston Legacy (0-3-0)
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.