The San Diego Wave FC’s season-long scoring struggles continue.
The Wave and rival Angel City FC played 90-plus minutes of scoreless soccer at Titan Stadium in Fullerton on Thursday night before Angel City won in a penalty shootout. Angel City finishes NWSL x Liga MX Fenemil Summer Cup pool play with eight points, and will advance through to the semifinals. San Diego (four points) sees its run in the Olympic-break exhibition tournament come to an end.San Diego attempted 14 shots to Angel City’s 15 on Thursday. Just three of San Diego’s shots were on target.
Though Thursday marked the return of defender Hanna Lundkvist and Sofia Jakobsson, the Wave remained seriously shorthanded.
Six players, including stars Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw, are in Paris for the Olympics. Additionally, San Diego was without Kyra Carusa (thigh), Hillary Beall (foot), Kennedy Wesley (knee) and Kimmi Ascanio (leg). Beall is the team’s No. 1 goalkeeper with Kailen Sheridan in Paris as part of Team Canada.
San Diego teenager Melanie Barcenas continued to provide a late offensive spark for her hometown team. She fired two shots during injury time that could have given the Wave the lead.
Angel City won the penalty shootout 5-4, securing the win when goalkeeper DiDi Haračić stopped Amirah Ali’s free kick.
The Wave won’t play their next match until Oct. 20, when they travel to Panama City to take on Santa Fe FC in the inaugural Concacaf Women’s Champions Cup.
San Diego resumes National Women’s Soccer League play on Aug. 24 against Angel City.
