The San Diego Wave has two home matches remaining until the start of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League playoffs.
The local kickers made the most of Saturday’s home match against the North Carolina Courage with a well-timed 2-1 victory to build on a 1-0 setback in Seattle the previous week.
With a record of 13-8-3, the Wave shares an identical recordwith the Utah Royals in the standings but in fourth place due to tiebreakers. Both teams have 42 points — just one point behind the second place Washington Spirit (13-7-4).
Gotham FC (14-4-6) continues to top the 16-team table with 48 points.
The win over the Courage (12-9-3) was especially timely as the North Carolina team sits just three points behind the Wave along with the Portland Thorns (11-7-6).
Gia Corley put the hosts ahead 1-0 in the 23rd minute, followed by a goal in the 72nd minute by Melanie Barcenas for a 2-0 lead.
But the Courage challenged with a goal in the 82nd minute by Ashley Sanchez to draw the teams back to within one goal. Sanchez scored her 19th of the season, putting her one goal shy of tying the single-season league record.
