As the San Diego Wave tries to turn the season around in its upcoming home match against the Chicago Red Stars, a local family has found a way to pay tribute to Casey Stoney who was dismissed from her duties as head coach on June 24.

Shandley and Cissy Phillips have followed the team since its first season and will be celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary at Snapdragon Stadium on Friday, June 28, wearing shirts with messages acknowledging Stoney’s accomplishments during her tenure in San Diego.

“Casey built this team. She’s our coach. Given her excellent record she should have at least been given the chance to finish the season,” said Shandley Phillips.

Dozens of families have signed up to wear shirts that will read “Built By Stoney.” The couple, along with their daughters, Savannah and Samantha, have traveled to several road games across the country to cheer on the Wave including their most recent road trip to Audi Field in D.C. and Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

“We are a team for sure. Our marriage and family is women’s soccer. We’ve been all over the world watching women play,” he added.

Despite San Diego sitting in ninth place in the NWSL standings, the team is one point from a playoff spot with 12 matches left to play seven of those being at home. In her two and a half seasons at the helm, Stoney led the team to back-to-back postseason appearances reaching the semifinal round each time, and the Supporters’ Shield trophy at the end of last year.

Stoney was named coach of the year in 2022, and the team won the Challenge Cup title over defending NWSL champion Gotham FC to start this season. She was previously signed to a multi-year contract extension on Jan. 23 which would’ve gone through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028.

“Management’s current focus on ‘excellence’ negates their other core values of community, integrity, and growth,” said Cissy Phillips. “Our club is about more than just wins and losses. We are fans who are willing to stick together and ride the waves of the highs and the lows. Especially during an expansion year, which is meant to reset parity in the league.”