San Diego Wave FC Ready for Playoff Debut
October 21, 2022 – National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – San Diego Wave FC News Release
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – San Diego Wave Fútbol Club continues playoff action on Sunday, Oct. 23, against the Portland Thorns for the NWSL Semi-Final, kicking off at 2 p.m. PT. While the team battles it out in Portland, Oregon, San Diego Wave FC will host a free Semi-Final Watch Party at Snapdragon Stadium for supporters to cheer on the players to the next round.
As the first expansion team in league history to make the NWSL playoffs, Wave FC continues its first playoff run and looks for a spot in the NWSL Final in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Oct. 29. San Diego Wave FC punched its ticket to the Semi-Finals with a 2-1 victory over Chicago Red Stars last Sunday, Oct. 16. The team fought back from a one-goal deficit with a 67th-minute goal from Emily Van Egmond and an overtime game-winner from Alex Morgan.
Below are quotes from Head Coach Casey Stoney, goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan and forward Amirah Ali from Friday’s media availability.
Wave FC Head Coach Casey Stoney:
On this weekend’s Semi-Final:
“It’s a game we are really looking forward to. Obviously, I’m immensely proud of the team’s performance last week against Chicago after going behind and showing such resilience and getting stronger in the game and deserving the win in the end. We’ve had to reflect and learn from that and put our good pass at the game and what we can possibly do to get a win against Portland who are an exceptional side. They are very experienced, they’ve been in this position before, they’ve been a top side for many, many years. We know it’s going to be a difficult game as it has been. We’ve had some fantastic games in terms of an advert for the women’s game so many times this season. I hope it’s another great game. We are going to have to be at our very, very best to get to the final. We are excited, prepared, and really looking forward to it.”
On the travel to Portland:
“The good thing is it is on our coast; we aren’t changing time zones. That is a big thing when you have to change time zones to play- we aren’t doing that against Portland. It’s a reasonably short flight, so in terms of travel, I don’t really think it’ll be a factor this weekend. The fact that we’ve gone there and won in our last game breeds confidence, but they are an exceptional side with great talent on their team. It’s going to be a great game, and a game that we have to be at our best at, but I know we can do it, I have unwavering belief in my team that we can go there and get a result.”
On Taylor Kornieck’s performance:
“Taylor seems to play well against Portland. It’s a team she likes to play against and I’m looking forward to seeing her performance this weekend. She’s come back from an injury, so we’ve had to manage her. Whether she can start or not, we don’t know. We know whether she starts or comes on, she will make an impact on this game.
Taylor has great feet. Taylor is so hard to play against because she’s got incredible feet and vision and can link really well with Alex [Morgan]. Also, she’s a threat in the air, too. She’s an unbelievable player and gives defenses and midfielders big problems.”
On the support from the city of San Diego:
“We see you. We hear you. We appreciate you. We know you are with us every step of the way. You’ve made a big difference to us at key moments in the season. Get behind the team for this game. I know there are gonna be people flying out there, and people watching at home. We will do everything we can to make sure we get ourselves to a final and give you one last game to cheer.”
Wave FC Goalkeeper, Kailen Sheridan:
On this weekend’s Semi-Final:
“We know they’re going to be a tough opponent; we’ve seen them a lot this year, which can be a good thing and a bad thing. I think we both know each other a lot at this point. We know a lot of our strengths and weaknesses. At the same time that is going to make for solid competition. We respect them, and I know they respect us. At the end of the day, we are going to put our best foot forward and I think our best foot is better than theirs.”
On playing Portland several times this season:
“I think going up against them like I said, we know each other really well. At the end of the day, that [the games] was at the beginning of the season, middle of the season, and now it’s the end of the season, this has more on the line, it is a different game and we are both going to bring things that neither team has seen before, but that is just a tribute to the depth of both of our squads. We are going to do everything we can in the next couple of days, and we’ve already done as much as we can this week to prepare ourselves and make sure we can do that. “
On Padres, Loyal, Wave Playoff Sunday:
“We are definitely focused on us but at the same time, this city has rallied together, and we are definitely supporting each other. They [Padres] came out to support us, and we are definitely out there supporting them. We are all here to show San Diego’s playoff contention and ability to be champions.”
On the support from San Diego:
“We are so proud to be representing the city. At the end of the day, the way that they [the fans] have shown up for us is even more massive than we could have ever imagined and that we could ever ask for. They have done it time and time again and we want to continue to show we are grateful for that and give performances on the field that are going to excite them and get them out at each and every game. At the end of the day, we represent them, but they also represent us, and we want to make sure we put everything we can forward for the city. I think the Padres and Loyal are doing that too.”
Wave FC Forward, Amirah Ali:
On this weekend’s Semi-Final:
“Excited to play such a good team- it’ll be a good game. They always give us great competition, but we know we can also play just as well or even better. Being an expansion team and being this far and the first one to be in the playoffs and in this position as an expansion team is amazing and we are excited to keep that going.”
On how the team has recovered from the last match:
“We have such a great coaching staff and strength/conditioning coaches. They have looked after our points, how much we ran, our miles from the game, and I know they are taking really good care of us. We have been able to relax but still get tactics down and know what we are going to do in the next game. We are going to be completely ready for this game. They took care of us to be prepared, 100%.”
On going against Portland/Smith:
“It is a unique thing. Sophia [Smith] is such an amazing player. I am honored to be in this situation in general, being in this league and playing with the best people in the world. I think it’s going to be a good battle, I am excited for it, and I can’t wait to keep making history with this team.”
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