With the NWSL pausing regular season action from July 25 to Aug. 10 as the Paris 2024 Olympics are on the horizon, the San Diego Wave still has time to turn things around and make the playoffs. Following a mandatory week-long break from July 8-14, all teams will be preparing to play games in the inaugural NWSL versus Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup.

The Wave has had an eventful couple of weeks, to say the least, which started with the firing of head coach Casey Stoney on June 24, followed by back-to-back shutouts losses, and culminated with public allegations of mistreatment by a former employee, which was made public a few days ago. Despite all of that, San Diego remains only three points away from the last playoff spot thanks to the teams around them also struggling to find their footing.

San Diego has gone scoreless in its last three matches and winless in its last nine, but still has 10 games remaining, with six being at Snapdragon Stadium. The team, now led by interim manager Paul Buckle, will have a three-game homestand upon its return starting on Aug. 24 versus rival Angel City FC. The two sides settled for a draw in their first meeting on May 23, with Angel City also vying for the eight-seed.

The Wave will then host the Washington Spirit and North Carolina Courage on Sept. 1 and Sept. 8 before going on the road for back-to-back matches against the Utah Royals and Chicago Red Stars.

The chances that SD Wave will be able to defend its Supporters’ Shield title are miniscule but, if the team can make the postseason, then it’s all about playing your best and being healthy at that point.

Photo by David Frerker