Orlando, Fla. (Oct. 2, 2026) \u2013San Diego Wave FC (16-8-3, 51 points) clinched a berth in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs with a 2-1 road win over the Orlando Pride (10-14-3, 33 points).<\/p>\n
Lia Godfrey opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Trinity Byars held up play and set her up inside the box. The goal was Godfrey\u2019s sixth of the season, while Byars recorded her 13th goal contribution of the year, the second-most in a single season in Wave FC history. Gia Corley doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, finishing a rebound for her second goal in consecutive road matches and third in her last four appearances.<\/p>\n
Orlando pulled one back from the penalty spot early in the second half, but Wave FC continued to create chances, including a Byars effort that forced a save and a Laurina Fazer strike off the crossbar. San Diego held firm through the closing stages to secure the 2-1 victory and officially clinch its place in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs.<\/p>\n
Next on the schedule: Following the international FIFA window, NWSL regular season play will resume on Saturday, Oct. 17, when San Diego Wave FC travels to face the North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium at 4 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on NWSL+.<\/p>\n
Social: Twitter \u2013\u00a0@sandiegowavefc<\/a>\u00a0| Instagram \u2013\u00a0@sandiegowavefc<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Player Notes:\u00a0<\/p>\n Lia Godfrey scored her sixth goal of the season, the second most amongst rookies in the NWSL this year.\u00a0 Match Notes:\u00a0<\/p>\n San Diego Wave FC clinched a spot in the 2026 NWSL Playoffs, the second team to do so this season.\u00a0 Goals by Half:<\/p>\n Team Orlando Pride San Diego Wave Scoring Summary:\u00a0<\/p>\n Minute 4\u2032 22\u2032 52\u2032 PK Misconduct Summary:<\/p>\n Minute 90\u2019+1\u2032 90\u2019+7\u2032 Boxscore:\u00a0<\/p>\n Team Orlando Pride San Diego Wave FC Orlando Pride Lineup: GK Cosette Morch\u00e9, D Hailie Mace (Kerry Abello 71\u2019), D Hannah Anderson, D Cori Dyke, D Oihane Hern\u00e1ndez, M Angelina (Summer Yates 64\u2019), M Ally Lemos,\u00a0M Haley McCutcheon \u00a9, F Jacqueline Ovalle (Marta 64\u2019), F Solai Washington (Sanne Levken 64\u2019), F Barbra Banda\u00a0<\/p>\n Unused Substitutes: GK Cara Martin, D Rafaelle, D Zara Chavoshi, M Julie Doyle, M Luana\u00a0<\/p>\n Head Coach: Yolanda Thomas \u00a0<\/p>\n San Diego Wave FC Lineup: GK Sandra Pa\u00f1os, D Perle Morroni, D Kristen McNabb, D Kennedy Wesley, D Mimi Van Zanten (Brooklyn Courtnall 85\u2019), M Kimmi Ascanio, M Kenza Dali \u00a9, M Gia Corley (Ludmila 59\u2019), F Lia Godfrey (Laurina Fazer 59\u2019), F Melanie Barcenas (Barbara Bonansea 78\u2019), F Trinity Byars\u00a0<\/p>\n Unused Substitutes: GK Didi Hara\u010di\u0107, D Nya Harrison, M Laila Harbert, M Tatum Wynalda, M Gabi Portilho, F Gabi Portilho\u00a0<\/p>\n Head Coach: Jonas Eidevall\u00a0<\/p>\n Attendance: 8,672\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\nGia Corley scored her third goal of the season, marking back-to-back matches with a goal.\u00a0
\nCorley has scored three goals in four matches.\u00a0
\nTrinity Byars recorded her third assist of the season, tallying 13 goal contributions on the year, the second most in a single season in club history behind Alex Morgan\u2019s 17 in 2022.\u00a0
\nDefenders Kennedy Wesley and Kristen McNabb started their 27th consecutive game this season; both completed 90 minutes.\u00a0
\nKennedy Wesley has started every match and played every minute this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nSan Diego clinched a spot in the NWSL Playoffs for the fourth time in its five seasons, just the third club in NWSL history to do so.\u00a0
\nThe win San Diego snapped a five-match winless streak against Orlando Pride\u00a0in league action dating to Aug. 25, 2023\u00a0
\nOnly once in the seven previous meetings has San Diego beaten the Pride.\u00a0
\nSan Diego have won eight games on the road in 2026; extending the\u00a0single season record for the club.\u00a0
\nSan Diego has scored four goals inside the opening five minutes of the match this season, the most of any NWSL team.\u00a0
\nThe Wave improved to 14-0-3 when scoring first this season.\u00a0
\nWave FC have a record of 11-0-3 when leading teams at halftime.\u00a0
\nSan Diego has improved its single season win record (15) and points earned (51) record.\u00a0
\nSD is 43-1-6 when scoring two or more goals in a regular-season match.<\/p>\n
\n1st Half
\n2nd Half
\nFinal<\/p>\n
\n0
\n1
\n1<\/p>\n
\n2
\n0
\n2<\/p>\n
\nTeam
\nGoalscorer
\nAssisted by<\/p>\n
\nSan Diego Wave FC
\nLia Godfrey (6)
\nTrinity Byars (4)<\/p>\n
\nSan Diego Wave FC
\nGia Corley (3)<\/p>\n
\nOrlando Pride
\nBarbara Banda \u00a0(16)<\/p>\n
\nTeam
\nPlayer
\nCard<\/p>\n
\nOrlando Pride
\nOihane Hern\u00e1ndez
\nYellow<\/p>\n
\nOrlando Pride
\nBarbara Banda
\nYellow<\/p>\n
\nS
\nSOG
\nSaves
\nCorners
\nFouls
\nOffsides
\nPoss.<\/p>\n
\n11
\n3
\n4
\n2
\n9
\n0
\n39%<\/p>\n
\n15
\n6
\n2
\n6
\n8
\n1
\n61%<\/p>\n