San Diego Wave clinch 2025 NWSL playoff spot
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The Wave are going back to the NWSL playoffs. Photo: Orlando Ramirez/NWSL via Getty Images
The San Diego Wave put on a show for fans with a playoff-clinching 6-1 win over the Chicago Stars at Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday.
Why it matters: The club secured a spot in the 2025 NWSL playoffs for the third time in four seasons after falling short last year.
- It was the Wave's final home game of the regular season and first win at home since May.
State of play: Forward Delphine Cascarino, the team's leading goal-scorer, struck first, finding the back of the net in the seventh minute of the game.
- Brazilian "cheat code" Dudinha, who's helped revive San Diego's struggling offense over the last several games, tallied a brace.
- The team scored four goals before half time, marking a first for the Wave, and two more in the second half to set a franchise record for a single game.
What they're saying: "It finally feels like we're putting the puzzle pieces together," defender Kristen McNabb said during the post-match press conference.
What's next: Twelve Wave players will join their national teams for friendlies during an international break, including Kennedy Wesley for the U.S.
- Then, the Wave face the Kansas City Current, the best team in the league, on Nov. 2 to close out the NWSL regular season. The playoff bracket will be set that day.
Meanwhile in Portland, San Diego FC beat the Timbers 4-0, finishing its record-breaking inaugural season as the best team in the Western Conference and securing the No. 1 seed in the MLS playoffs.
- SDFC will host the winner of Wednesday's wild card match between Portland and Real Salt Lake in a best-of-three series that starts on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Snapdragon.
