San Diego Wave FC finished its 2025 National Women’s Soccer League season with a close 1-0 loss in overtime in the opening round of the playoffs.
But with a new season comes new dreams, expectations and players as the club looks for its first NWSL championship.
To get caught up before the 2026 season opener on March 14 at Snapdragon Stadium, here is a quick recap of last year’s season, offseason highlights and what to expect at home games this season.
The Wave’s Trinity Armstrong, right, and Bay FC’s Alyssa Malonson chase the ball as it bounces high during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Sunday, May 04, 2025. (Hayne Palmour IV / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
2025 regular season recap
The Wave started its 2025 season with a 1-1 draw on the road at Angel City on March 16. Forward Gia Corley scored the first goal of the campaign in the fifth minute.
The first home game ended with a 3-2 victory over Utah Royals on March 22. Corley scored her second goal and first assist of the season. Maria Sánchez and Adriana Leon also found the back of the net.
On March 26, the Wave bolstered the squad by signing Colombian defender Daniela Arias to a two-year deal. She was on Colombia’s 2024 Summer Olympics and 2023 Women’s World Cup teams.
On April 25, the Wave’s Delphine Cascarino made headlines by winning NWSL Player of the Week. She was honored for her play the previous week with two goals and an assist for the club’s first road win versus Racing Louisville.
It was announced on May 13 that Alex Morgan would rejoin the team as a minority owner. Morgan retired in September 2024 after a career with the Wave where she scored an NWSL record 16 goals in the club’s first season in 2022. In 2023, she helped the team win the NWSL Shield and the best regular-season record. On Sept. 7, the Wave retired Morgan’s No. 13.
On June 12, Trinity Armstrong became the youngest NWSL player to be placed in the league’s team of the month. Armstrong led the Wave’s defense in May by only allowing four goals in matches, with one being on a penalty kick. She also scored one goal and assisted on two other scores.
On July 24, the Wave signed Brazilian forward Dudinha from São Paulo FC. Dudinha took the pitch 65 times with São Paulo FC and found the back of the net 14 times, helping the Brazilian club win its league before joining the Wave.
On Aug. 2, the club returned from its month-long international break with a 0-0 tie against North Carolina Courage. The Wave finished the first half of the 2025 season with seven wins, three ties, three loses and third place in the NWSL standings.
The club agreed to a three-year contract extension with defender Kennedy Wesley on Aug. 27. She was the Wave’s first-round draft pick in 2024.
On Oct. 8, the club fired assistant coach Jack Jensen. He was hired by the Wave in 2025 and had previously been the head coach of Molde Fotballklubb and Vålerenga in Norway. He also coached in Sweden for FC Rosengård.
On Oct. 20, it was announced that six-time NBA All-Star and Poway resident Jimmy Butler had become a part-owner of the Wave.
The Wave finished the 2025 NWSL regular season on Nov. 2 with 10 wins, seven draws, nine losses, and the sixth seed going into the playoffs.
On Nov. 9, the team’s season came to a close with an overtime loss to the Portland Thorns 1-0.
Kimmi Ascanio and Kenza Dali of San Diego Wave FC celebrate after a goal against Chicago Stars at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Offseason highlights
The Wave became the second club ever to win the World Sevens women’s tournament on Dec. 12. The club beat Mexico’s Tigres UANL 3-0, winning a $2 million prize.
On Dec. 29, the club mutually parted ways with longtime goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Sheridan has been with the Wave since its first season in 2022. She was named the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year for the club’s inaugural season, and ultimately made her 600th career regular-season save with the Wave, becoming the second goalkeeper in the NWSL to do so.
In all, she started in 87 matches for the San Diego squad.
On Jan. 13, the Wave signed Brazilian star Ludmila to a three-year contract. San Diego received the forward from the Chicago Stars for an $800,000 transfer fee. The exchange could get up to $1 million total, based on how Ludmila plays. In her career, she has found the back of the net 31 times in 185 professional matches.
On Jan. 16, San Diego re-signed goalie DiDi Haračić to a new one-year contract. The goalkeeper only started two matches last season for the Wave, and overall, she has appeared in over 100 matches in the NWSL since 2013.
San Diego Wave and forward Cascarino mutually agreed to part ways on Jan. 18. Cascarino said the reason for her departure was “personal considerations” and that “every moment of my time in San Diego is something I will always cherish.” She arrived in San Diego in the summer of 2024. Cascarino started in 30 of 34 matches in 2024 and 2025. Last season, she contributed with 11 goals and was a 2025 NWSL finalist for MVP.
On Jan. 26, the Wave re-signed midfielder Corley, with a contract through the 2027 season. Last season, she scored twice and had two assists in her debut NWSL season, while starting 21 of 24 matches.
On Jan. 27, the club acquired Colombian goalkeeper Luisa Agudelo to a three-year deal. She turned pro at 15-years and assisted Colombia’s Deportivo Cali to back-to-back league championships. Agudelo will now fight for the starting goalie position with Haračić and second-year goalkeeper Leah Freeman.
The San Diego squad unveiled new uniforms on Feb. 26. The new kit is a celebration of Balboa Park with a collar and sleeve design representing its tile work, according to the club.
On March 2, the Wave signed Brazilian forward Gabi Portilho from Gotham FC. In exchange for the player, the club sent $175,000 in transfer funds. She played in 17 games for Gotham FC, scoring three goals and notching three assists. She was also on the Brazilian national team that won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On March 5, the Wave signed star midfielder Kenza Dali to a two-year contract extension. She started every match for the club last season and led the Wave in minutes, finishing with five goals and tied for the club lead. Dali was also a finalist for the NWSL midfielder of the year award.
Fireworks are setoff before San Diego Wave FC match against the Utah Royals at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 22, 2025 in San Diego, CA. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
2026 giveaways and promotions
There are nine theme games and giveaway nights planned for the Wave’s 2026 season at Snapdragon Stadium.
On March 14, the club kicks off its fifth season with its home opener versus the Houston Dash at 5:45 p.m. Fans in attendance will receive a celebratory rally towel. There will also be family-friendly activities before the game on the east side of the stadium.
This year’s kids’ night is May 3. The Wave is planning pre-match and halftime activities for children as the club takes on Bay FC at 4 p.m.
On May 15, the San Diego squad will host its Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage night. Fans attending the match will get a free Wave FC aloha shirt. The Wave will play the Washington Spirit, led by Trinity Rodman, at 7 p.m.
Rivalry night is slated for July 11 this year, when the Wave take on Angel City at 5:45 p.m. A pre-match fan fest will take place at the east side entrance of Snapdragon Stadium, and there will be a beach towel giveaway.
July 26 is the club’s annual Pride match. There are festivities and entertainment planed throughout the match that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The Wave will battle the Seattle Reign at 2 p.m.
For the first time, the Wave will host a Hello Kitty Night. The organization is scheduled to have a special ticket package where fans can get a limited-edition Wave FC x Hello Kitty merchandise. The theme night will take place when San Diego goes up against Denver Summit FC on Aug. 14 at 7 p.m.
Fan appreciation night is slated for Aug. 28 when Racing Louisville comes into Snapdragon Stadium at 7 p.m. There will be a unique Wave FC surf shirt giveaway and a pre-match fan fest.
On Sept. 12, fans can celebrate Hispanic culture with Noche Latina when the Wave face the North Carolina Courage at 3:30 p.m. Community group activities and special performances will be part of the festivities.
The last home regular season game will be military appreciation day when the club takes on Boston Legacy on Oct. 25 at 4 p.m.