With the San Diego Wave eliminated from playoff contention after its 4-1 defeat to the Kansas City Current last week, the season finale on Sunday against Racing Louisville will still have postseason implications.

The Wave can eliminate Louisville from any chance of getting the final playoff seed with a win or draw and even a victory by Racing could still keep the team from Kentucky out if Bay FC can earn at least one point versus the Houston Dash on Saturday. In other words, both sides could already be out by kickoff on Sunday with Portland practically guaranteeing its spot in the postseason thanks to goal differential.

There were several results that the team, led by interim head coach Landon Donavan, can look back on with regret this season as to why it’s no longer in contention for the playoffs. Still, none as much as the 2-0 home loss to the Houston Dash on Oct. 13. While that defeat did not mathematically eliminate the Wave, it made the path much more difficult requiring a victory at Kansas City the following week along with several other results to go its way among the other teams in contention.

San Diego Wave recently announced that it re-signed the talented Kristen McNabb through the 2026 season and will also have defender Naomi Girma, who scored a brace with the USWNT on Wednesday in a 3-0 victory over Argentina, among the returners for 2025. If SD Wave can win against Racing Louisville it will finish a season filled with many questions on the right foot while thanking the fans for all their support on fan appreciation day.

GAME MOVED TO LOUISVILLE

San Diego Wave has decided to relocate its upcoming home match to Louisville due to ongoing player and field safety concerns at Snapdragon Stadium.

“The safety and well-being of all players is our top priority, and the current field conditions at Snapdragon Stadium, which are the responsibility of a third party, have not met the standards required for a safe playing environment. A thorough review of the field was conducted and all alternative options within Southern California were exhausted; however, the league ultimately determined that moving the game to Louisville was the best solution,” according to a statement from the Wave.

“Details for fans who purchased tickets to the match will be provided as soon as possible to ensure a seamless experience for all. The club is working on an official watch party with details to follow. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we take these necessary steps to prioritize player safety and ensure the integrity of the match.

“We apologize to our fans, who have shown unwavering support, and assure you that we are actively working with stadium management to resolve this issue. Our players, fans, and community deserve a safe and top-quality environment for every game,” the Wave statement concludes.

Photo by David Frerker