Wave enter new era with NWSL season opener vs. Angel City
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San Diego Wave FC opens the 2025 NWSL season on Sunday against rival Angel City FC in Los Angeles.
State of play: The Wave are stepping into a new era after a disappointing season and a major transformation with its front office, coaching staff and roster.
- The team lost some key players — Alex Morgan, Naomi Girma and Jaedyn Shaw — but filled those spots with 12 new signings, including international stars Canadian forward Adriana Leon and French midfielder Kenza Dali.
- Several new players debuted at the Coachella Valley Invitational preseason tournament, where the Wave went 1-1.
Driving the news: The game kicks off at 3:50pm on ESPN2, and the Wave are hosting an official watch party at 619 Spirits in North Park.
- The pop-up event will also launch a fundraising campaign for One of Us, a women-owned bar for women's sports that's set to open in the neighborhood this fall.
Zoom in: One of Us owner and co-founder Kalani Millsaps said it'll be the first of its kind in San Diego by prioritizing professional and college women's sports on its TVs with the sound on.
- "We want to provide women's sports fans with that elevated space that they deserve," Millsaps told Axios, adding that it won't be a traditional pub covered in memorabilia with sticky floors and greasy food.
- She's hoping to attract the Wave's robust fanbase, and eventually host social meetups and community events in the space.
What's next: At the event, the club will raffle off free tickets to its home opener at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday, March 22.