San Diego Wave FC

San Diego Wave FC is a National Women's Soccer League expansion team that began play in 2022. The team is based in San Diego, California.[1] The team is owned by Ron Burkle.

San Diego Wave FC
Full nameSan Diego Wave Fútbol Club
FoundedJune 8, 2021 (2021-06-08)
StadiumTorero Stadium (first half of 2022), Snapdragon Stadium (Fall 2022)
Capacity35,000
OwnerRon Burkle
PresidentJill Ellis
Head coachCasey Stoney
LeagueNational Women's Soccer League
WebsiteClub website

The team is the San Diego area's first women's professional soccer team since 2003, when the Women's United Soccer Association folded and forced the San Diego Spirit to disband.[2]

History

In January 2021, Lisa Baird, the commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), announced that an expansion team in Sacramento, led by Ron Burkle and in conjunction with Sacramento Republic FC's expansion bid into Major League Soccer, would join the NWSL in 2022.[3] However, Burkle never confirmed the news publicly before exiting the Sacramento Republic's ownership group. Instead, on June 8, 2021, the NWSL announced San Diego as the location for an expansion team owned by Burkle to begin play in 2022.[1]

Colors and crest

On December 15, 2021, the team revealed its crest for the 2022 season. Press released said, "The crest, encased in a shield, is a symbol of strength, for the city and team, to proudly stand behind. A powerful wave, cresting in the rich blues of the Pacific Ocean, sits front and center as the iconic mark of Wave FC. And under the proud banner of the city’s name, are the vivid colors of the horizon, celebrating the beauty, fun, and vibrant culture of the city and its people."[4]

Kit Sponsors
Period Kit manufacturer Front sponsor Back sponsor Sleeve sponsor
2022– Nike Pechanga Resort Casino Gatorade

Stadium

The team began play at Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego for their inaugural season. They will be moving to Snapdragon Stadium when it's expected to open in September 2022 for their last two games of the regular season, located in the Mission Valley campus expansion of San Diego State University.[5]

Players and staff

Current squad
As of April 14, 2022.[6]
No. Pos. Player Nation
1 GK Kailen Sheridan  Canada
2 DF Abby Dahlkemper  United States
4 DF Naomi Girma  United States
5 MF Emily van Egmond  Australia
6 MF Kelsey Turnbow  United States
7 FW Amirah Ali  United States
9 FW Jodie Taylor  England
10 FW Sofia Jakobsson  Sweden
13 FW Alex Morgan  United States
14 MF Kristen McNabb  United States
15 FW Makenzy Doniak  United States
17 MF Sydney Pulver  United States
18 DF Kaleigh Riehl  United States
19 DF Tegan McGrady  United States
20 DF Christen Westphal  United States
21 GK Carly Telford  England
22 MF Taylor Kornieck  United States
23 MF Belle Briede  United States
24 FW Sarah Sodoma  United States
25 DF Kayla Bruster  United States
26 DF Mia Gyau  United States
27 FW Marleen Schimmer  Germany
29 DF Taylor Hansen  United States
31 GK Melissa Lowder  United States
33 FW Katie Johnson  Mexico

Coaching staff
As of March 15, 2022.[6]
Position Staff
Head coach Casey Stoney
Assistant coach Rich Gunney
Assistant coach Victoria Boardman
Goalkeeper coach Louis Hunt

Head coaching record
As of July 14, 2021

Only competitive matches are counted. Includes NWSL regular season, playoffs, and Challenge Cup matches.

All-time San Diego Wave FC coaching stats
Name Nationality From To P W D L GF GA Win%
Casey Stoney  England July 14, 2021 present 0 0 0 0 0 0 !—
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 !—

References
  1. "San Diego To Be Home to NWSL Expansion Team, Led by Jill Ellis as President". NWSL. June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  2. Zeigler, Mark (June 8, 2021). "Women's pro soccer coming to San Diego in 2022". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  3. Kassouf, Jeff (June 8, 2021). "San Diego confirmed as 2022 NWSL expansion market; Ellis to serve as team president". The Equalizer. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  4. "San Diego Wave FC Unveils Official Team Crest and Colors". www.sandiegowavefc.com. December 15, 2021.
  5. "NWSL expansion team San Diego Wave FC unveil official crest". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  6. "Wave FC Announces Complete Roster Ahead of 2022 Challenge Cup". San Diego Wave Fútbol Club. March 15, 2022.
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