The San Diego Wave are 9-4-1, putting them first in the National Women\u2019s Soccer League as it reaches the season\u2019s midpoint.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re coming off a convincing 2-0 victory over NJ\/NY Gotham FC.<\/p>\n
And they\u2019re determined not to repeat last year\u2019s mistakes.<\/p>\n
The Wave struggled coming out of the 2025 international break, winning just one of 10 matches before finishing their playoff push.<\/p>\n
Last weekend\u2019s win over Gotham, one of the league\u2019s best defensive teams, shows this year could be different.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think coming back in, we immediately clicked, and getting that first win back from the break is super important to us,\u201d midfielder Kimmi Ascanio said. \u201cSo, I think that puts us right where we want to be for the next coming games.\u201d<\/p>\n
Next up is Saturday\u2019s 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\u00a0Leif Gunnar Smerud on an interim basis.<\/p>\n
L.A. faces a Wave club that\u2019s benefiting greatly from the emergence of the 18-year-old Ascanio.<\/p>\n
She saw the field multiple times last season but was still adjusting to the speed of both the league and coach Jonas Eidevall\u2019s system. This season, she has made adjustments and is thriving in her role.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s 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,\u201d Eidevall said.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cKenz is someone I look up to, and someone that I go to a lot on this team for advice,\u201d Ascanio said. \u201cIf I need help with something, she\u2019s always there for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The leap Ascanio has made this season has turned her into an every-game starter and one of the team\u2019s most dependable players. The Wave rank among the league leaders in goals (21), total passes (6,909) and shots on target (85).<\/p>\n
She embraces the dirty work defensively and consistently makes the right decisions in possession to capitalize when opposing defenses are on their heels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hardest things when you\u2019re a young player is to be consistent, and I think she\u2019s done that really, really well,\u201d Dali said. \u201cShe\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ascanio\u2019s reaching milestones off the field, too.<\/p>\n
On June 17, Wave officials sent a memo throughout the organization asking everyone to gather for a special ceremony.<\/p>\n