On a short week, the San Diego Wave found their offensive identity for the second straight game, defeating the Portland Thorns 3-1.
It marked their first home victory of the young season at Snapdragon Stadium. San Diego entered the match coming off a 2-1 win in Utah. It second victory in four days avenged last year’s National Women’s Soccer League playoff loss to the Thorns in Portland.
It took just two minutes for San Diego to get on the scoreboard.
Midfielder Gia Corley drove up the pitch with a defender on her and spotted Dudinha alone on the left side. She played a through ball, and the Brazilian winger cut to her right before scoring her second goal of the season to give the Wave a 1-0 lead.
Portland responded five minutes later following a miscommunication between center backs Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb. Pietra Tordin capitalized, stealing the ball and getting a shot off despite having a defender on each side.
Her initial attempt hit the right post and bounced back to her, and she converted the second chance to make it 1-1 within the opening 10 minutes.
Portland continued to create chances and generate dangerous moments inside the San Diego box, but all the Wave needed was one possession to regain control.
In the 27th minute, Kenza Dali and Corley were involved in the buildup that led to two blocked shots. The ball eventually fell to Dudinha, who showed patience before finding a wide-open Lia Godfrey, who finished to restore the Wave’s lead.
The same two players who scored in Sunday’s win in Utah once again found the back of the net, giving San Diego a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
Dudinha #88 of the San Diego Wave FC celebrates after a goal against the Portland Thorns FC during their match at Snapdragon Stadium on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Wave’s midfield trio of Corley, Dali and Godfrey continued to click, helping San Diego control possession and create more positive sequences in the second half.
All three consistently tracked back defensively before quickly transitioning into attack once they won the ball. Their defensive work directly fueled their ability to generate scoring chances.
Melanie Barcenas entered in the 77th minute for Dudinha and maintained the Wave’s attacking energy. In the 82nd minute, she got behind the Thorns’ defense, where Dali found her with a well-placed pass.
Barcenas took a shot in the box that was initially saved by goalkeeper Morgan Messner but after noticing the ball was loose, she recovered it and finished for the dagger, extending the lead to 3-1 late in the match.
The win gives San Diego a 2-1-0 record six points through its first three matches, a strong start to the season. Portland falls to 2-1-0.
There is little rest for the Wave, who return to action Saturday at 5:45 p.m. PT against the Chicago Stars.