The San Diego Wave are 9-4-1, putting them first in the National Women’s Soccer League as it reaches the season’s midpoint.
They’re coming off a convincing 2-0 victory over NJ/NY Gotham FC.
And they’re determined not to repeat last year’s mistakes.
The Wave struggled coming out of the 2025 international break, winning just one of 10 matches before finishing their playoff push.
Last weekend’s win over Gotham, one of the league’s best defensive teams, shows this year could be different.
“I think coming back in, we immediately clicked, and getting that first win back from the break is super important to us,” midfielder Kimmi Ascanio said. “So, I think that puts us right where we want to be for the next coming games.”
Next up is Saturday’s match against rival Angel City FC (5-6-1) at Snapdragon Stadium. The visitors parted ways with coach Alexander Straus less than a month ago, replacing him with Leif Gunnar Smerud on an interim basis.
L.A. faces a Wave club that’s benefiting greatly from the emergence of the 18-year-old Ascanio.
She saw the field multiple times last season but was still adjusting to the speed of both the league and coach Jonas Eidevall’s system. This season, she has made adjustments and is thriving in her role.
“She’s added on so much in both her attacking game when it looks to build up, but also in her defending game in order to be a two-way midfielder,” Eidevall said.
With leading scorer Dudinha out for the year and star Catarina Macario without a timeline to make her San Diego debut, Ascanio has become a focal point in Eidevall’s attack alongside veteran midfielder Kenza Dali. She was named to the NWSL Best XI for the month of May after scoring the game-winning goal against Washington and recording a key assist against Angel City.
The chemistry between Ascanio and Dali has become well documented through their play on the field, the way they speak about each other during press conferences, and even their shared goal celebrations.
“Kenz is someone I look up to, and someone that I go to a lot on this team for advice,” Ascanio said. “If I need help with something, she’s always there for me.”
The leap Ascanio has made this season has turned her into an every-game starter and one of the team’s most dependable players. The Wave rank among the league leaders in goals (21), total passes (6,909) and shots on target (85).
She embraces the dirty work defensively and consistently makes the right decisions in possession to capitalize when opposing defenses are on their heels.
“The hardest things when you’re a young player is to be consistent, and I think she’s done that really, really well,” Dali said. “She’s a player that needs confidence and that needs to feel that you trust her, and I think the staff and the club did an amazing job by doing that.”
Ascanio’s reaching milestones off the field, too.
On June 17, Wave officials sent a memo throughout the organization asking everyone to gather for a special ceremony.
The team’s social media account posted a video of Ascanio walking into a room wearing a cap and gown as her teammates and coaches applauded her accomplishment.
Considering the impact she has made and how young she was when she joined the club, it’s easy to forget that she had just graduated from high school.
Ascanio tried to keep the graduation a secret because she doesn’t like being the center of attention. Once Ascanio’s teammates found out, they knew they had to celebrate her accomplishment.
“I missed out on the high school graduation, and with all my friends and everything back home,” Ascanio said. “But it’s just amazing to have such strong support from my teammates and the people I’m with every day. So, it really means the world to me.”
Dali could be seen smiling while recording the celebration, looking like a proud big sister.
“I think it’s important for her as well, and you’re always happy, which you kind of realize as well how young she is when things like this happen,” Dali said.
Ascanio was a sophomore in high school when she transitioned from attending in-person classes to online school so she could pursue her professional soccer career. She signed with the Wave at age 16, making her NWSL debut less than a month later.
Ascanio’s routine as both a professional athlete and high school student was demanding. She would attend practices, meetings and games, then return home to study, complete homework and take tests.
She continually reminded herself that it was all for a greater purpose. Ascanio plans to enroll in college classes after the season is over.
“Graduating high school (is) super important,” she said, “because a career doesn’t last forever.”
Wave (9-4-1) vs. Angel City FC (5-6-1)
When: 5:45 p.m. Saturday
Where: Snapdragon Stadium
TV: ION