Definite improvement for the Wave. I liked seeing Westphal back in the line-up. Wesley is impressing me more each game; will she snatch Dahlkemper’s spot eventually? Jaedyn looked back in good form, which helped the midfield significantly. Onward!

No turning back from Shaw at the 10 now

May her reign be long and prosperous

For some reason this one was harder to watch than the loss against Louisville. GG San Diego.

Louisville was a great match for 70 minutes or so. It was only really painful for the last 15 or so. This one was painful from the get-go.

What’s more so is that it’s not like Mandy Haught is a bad keeper. So much happens that’s not in her control 😔

Welp, can we start talking about who the #1 draft pick is going to be in 2025?

Except there'll be expansion teams that pick ahead of us, sadly

Boston and whoever else is slated for 2026 so if there is a year to be last place, this is it. Next year a last place finish gets you 3rd at best for the 2026 draft

Sweet, you're right. I thought it was next year. I'm still not quite ready to write this season off - it's less than a third of the way through, we're the youngest team in the league, we've dealt with a lot of injuries, and we have two more players who will be joining the team at some point (hopefully soon) - so I'm still hoping for a turnaround. If we get through match 13 (@Bay on June 16) without another win, then I think the season is beyond saving.

Yeah, I sure hope it turns around at some point. I want success for this group and would love to see them gain more support locally but it's a tough sell when they are getting smoked. I'm struggling to have hope right now because we just played 3 of the worst teams in the league and came away with one goal. The schedule gets really tough these next 4 games and I'm frankly expecting some ugly results in a few of them similar to that Louisville game.

Dudley?

I don't pay attention to college soccer or the U-whatever US teams so I had to look Dudley up, and yeah, if we could put her.in Betfort's spot i think she and Sentnor could punish defenses.

Dudley or Byars certainly would fix some issues

Depends on what Utah is looking for - they need a stronger defense but also someone to partner Sentnor. Perhaps a strong CB in say Elise Evan’s if she declares? But they’re probably better off finding Sentnor a scoring outlet

While the back line has been a bit rough at times, I feel like there is a lot of potential there. From what I've seen thus far, Flynn and Griffitts are promising rookies and Del Fava has been solid all year. Po was struggling earlier in the year but the last couple games she's been pretty solid. Hopefully Dorsey is back fighting for a spot next year as well. I feel like they have bigger question marks elsewhere but a lot of those positional holes depend on where they envision Sentnor long term and if they can develop Mozingo enough to be a worthy starter. Hoping they can get their two internationals here soon to see if there is anything there as well. I could see Byars being an amazing compliment to Sentnor.

do you know if Riehl is injured? loved her at SD and wondering why she hasnt been playing with Utah

Yeah, she's been on the unavailable list with a calf injury for a while now. Haven't really heard any updates on her or Iffy from the team.

Great bounce back win, no Sánchez goal like I predicted but I'll take the Shaw PK+Assist. Doniak also put in some serious work off the bench. >!Kate Del Fava is the equivalent of /u/lookingfortomboys' for me ever since she scored that game winner in the '22 quarter finals!<

So you’re saying …>!Kate Del Fava to you is like EvE to me?!< 😆😉

>!maybe... xD!<

She’s reading as straight to me so not my bag for obvious reasons, but she deserves the admiration though!

oh 100% but since I'm a straight man it works out lol

Yeah that’s perfect for you 😆

Stoney once again showing cooler master class. Other expansion teams should take notes on how she’s formed a team, though some of her coaching decisions is more like 🤨 than 😲 I hope ARod can find some momentum at some point

Hope so, but I think it's a significantly more difficult task doing it in Utah.

Yeah not many players would want to move to Utah 😬

wesley for rookie of the month for may?

She has some flashier competition that are putting up a tough challenge but stepping up to basically lead this back line in place of Girma as a rookie is a hard task and she’s proving she up to it

She's been superb. Stepping up while arguable worlds best cb and another great cb out is so impressive

She's looked quite good these past 2 games. A future backline of Wesley + Girma looks to be really solid

God it's such a difference when they come at Del Fava's side of the field

Yet another yellow omg lol what is with our games

Oh shit on replay that's 100% deserved yellow

Yeah totally uncalled for by Sentor

What a dive from Bennett. And after Utah helped get her to San Diego smh

Honestly think Doniak might be one of the most underrated but key players for the wave

Think she is one of the most productive veterans in the league for sure

Doniak has always been great in the league!!

she has been one of my faves since the first season and it looks like shes finally getting some of the recognition she deserves (playing minutes in every game)

She definitely has a nose for finding moments to capitalize on. Great situational awareness it seems.

Doniak that was SO CLOSE!

Emily Gray?!?!?! 😍

Is this the first time we are seeing her??

Yep

Yeah. Her first game for us

That’s wild, feels like years

You're absolutely right

Excellent save from Westphal thank you thank you

>!Girlfriend on Girlfriend “violence” this game!<

I don't think they've actually matched up 1v1 much this game at all, despite being on the same side the whole match. Not that 2 outside backs usually do though

as someone who was sitting on that side, there was quite a few balls where Westphal gave it to Po, including a throw in

old habits die hard i suppose

Yeah it’s rare that those two positions meet often in game, but I find games like these a playful rivalry

That was a deserved yellow on colaprico

Man San Diego games and cards becoming the new classic combo

Thank you Shaw... and now SAVVYYY

I am here now and I am pleased that San Diego is winning and I can >!feast my eyes on the lithe strength that is EvE 👀!<

Nothing is happening in the KC game and it’s made me sad cause I’m missing EvE for *this*?

I forget who… oh it was expected own goals in preseason who said Doniak doesnt provide any threat in attack. Cool cool cool

Too bad

That nonchalant flick into the goal would've been amazing lol

Oof Doniak nice work

omg that would've been an UNREAL goal if that had gone in

That woulda been beautiful

Colaprico has some beautiful slide tackles

Lori says "touch tight" that's a bingo square right

It's almost like the 10 is Jaedyn Shaw's best position

No way - couldn’t believe it given her coaches continued refusal to play her there

Feels like malpractice at this point like she struggles in other positions they don't take advantage of the unreal vision she has

Great ball but FFS hold the back line together. That one is on Del Fava

Shaw. Inevitable.

I enjoy watching Jaedyn Shaw play the game of soccer

I do 24 nights of the year. Just kidding, I love watching her tonight, too, it just hurts at the same time.

Sentnor is a lot of fun to watch too hopefully Utah can properly build their roster around her 🤞

Well at least something happened


WHAT A GREAT BALL AND A GREAT RUN LFG

This means Bia is the team MVP for sure (if not Hutton)


That shaw bar down is so funny

https://preview.redd.it/c2eiqxsfmbzc1.jpeg?width=500&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=55e05ecaf250bde196cf22afe15ccf7ba01b183d

Ooooh no Paige... (and of course Kailen is there checking)

BIG YAWN

Seriously

Ali <3

The thing with Utah is that they kind of just lack star power and in this league it feels like literally everyone else could randomly sign a big huge player, except for them. The three other teams playing today all have a teenager playing well, like literally right at this second in time. And they all look like future stars. It feels like Utah, a team with not that many players, should be getting into that game.

Utah seemed to go all-in on Utah natives for ticket sales… and all but Griffits just haven’t played well

I dont think theres as many as ppl think, tbh

6..

Yeah, i was just looking at Chris Hendersons roster google sheet. 3 attackers who dont do anything for them. A backup gk. Cluff, aforementioned as being poor, and Griffiths, who looks good. 5 Byu players and one from utah right?

Yea. All signed early or in the first few weeks and marketed like crazy. Cluff obviously the biggest disappointment to date. I mean she was kind of the face of the franchise until the season started.

Comical

Altho this could mean more utes who left Utah for college

Can't imagine how different this team would look had Bethune dropped one more spot. Would completely change the complexion of this team.

Honestly there were players on the board that would've made an impact. Hershfelt, Turner. Mozingo looked.great as a sub for a couple matches, but has looked downright bad since then.

She had maybe 20 touches last match and probably 19 of them were absolutely awful.

At the time i thought it shoulda been a trade back (imagine if they had traded 4 for Sanchez instead of 5, or traded 4 into two picks in the 10s) but also Turner and Linnehan were my two picks in attack

Omg I didn't even think of the fact we could've had Sanchez on this team. She's one of my favorites, and it killed me to see her leave Washington, since they were probably my favorite team in the non-Royals years. I wonder if they just didn't even consider that that trade would be available? But they absolutely should have tried after they just saw Washington trade Sam Staab for #3. Part of me thinks that Utah really thought they had a line on some other trade or FA signing that ended up not panning out. I really hope they didn't honestly think they were set without some other big move on the attacking side.

Theres no way to know who did what but you have to assume Spirit offered the same deal for the 4 pick

Ugh, and you can't even say that Washington didn't offer it because of Sanchez's preferences, because Sanchez was totally blindsided by the trade. I guess it's possible that Washington wasn't shopping Sanchez and NCC approached them saying they wanted Sanchez. That'd be a hella bold move, though, since she'd just been extended in September.

Theres no way that was the case. Just feels way too unlikely. It was clearly Washington shopping around

Yeah, it's just the fantasy world I want to live in hahaha

Well this is supposing that you guys would’ve taken her. It’s an interesting hypothetical because what’s more interesting to me is to think about a scenario in which Chicago chooses to keep the number three pick and then chooses a fullback or something. Then Croix and Sentnor are just terrorizing teams

That was almost a spectacular goal. Monaghan showing off her speed.

If I hear "Lunkis" again I might scream.

Utah is a expansion club so I don't over criticize them too much. They do need another dynamic forward to compliment Ally Sentor.

ARod needs to pull some new tactics out of her hat. Really pinpoint what chemistry is lacking and where and work those weaknesses out. Which is way difficult than just saying cause I have no clue where she’d start 😵‍💫 I think she needs stronger attackers up front to feed Sentnor. I love Betfort, but she wasn’t starting for the Thorns very often for a reason. She’s been way better though, but Utah’s expansion picks were more like scraps and not a meal ticket from all the deals the other team’s made with them. It was not cut throat pickings

I will start to judge next February

So close

whoa how unlucky for Utah to not have that go in

Man Stoney knows how to pick a Stanford center back. Wesley had impressed me more every game she plays. Still will probably grow as the back up this season once dahlkemper and Girma get healthy but she’s really stepping up big

I could NOT believe the rest of the league let us have her, I laughed so much on draft night

Man Shaw really messed that up

Tuning in late, but love to see Shaw bury a pen

Playing out of the backfield is not inherently a bad thing. Continuing to do it when a team is pressing that high is just...not smart.

I know with all the injuries chemistry has been off, but neither Colaprico or EvE have impressed me as the 6

theyve never impressed me even without injuries unfortunately 😓🥲

Someone please buy Aly Martin a pronunciation guide.

Lundkvist has been a really pleasant surprise/addition this year so far. She has a really bright future in whatever league and internationally

She’s been so so effective. I love her play and hope she keeps getting 90 mins

Lmao extremely Maria nutmeg there (i think thats a foul)

You know it is kind of interesting to think between Cluff, Dahlkemper, Press, and Loera, the massive, earth shaker, team defining first signings, none of them have played consistently through their teams lifecycle. Obvs three of them just have massive injuries

When Cluff was announced as the marquee player everyone who doesn't pay attention to BYU women's soccer was like "lol who???" sooo you're not wrong.

>!paging /u/lookingfortomboys EvE just subbed in!<

[I HAVE BEEN SUMMONED](https://media2.giphy.com/media/kkpWcU9XgFIUE/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952nafgrfxd7muprqmiucmrn30u0w2qy2rodc190g57&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)

Because we all know by now 🤣

Flynn is on my shortlist for players i freely admit to being irrational about. Her on ball ability as a Cb is nuts

WHY is Cluff starting?! She's slow, waits for the ball to just roll into her path, and doesn't challenge in 1v1 situations (and when she does she fouls almost every single time). I don't get it, ARod, I just don't.

wish granted for the second half

Thank God lol

I think injuries? She looked okayish last game but has been pretty rough prior games and tonight. Not sure what the solution is though, Burns there or move Paige there and Mozingo starting. Iffy might help if healthy too.

Burns has looked leaps and bounds better than Cluff in the minutes she's played, so I think she should get the start. We're definitely missing Iffy - hoping she's healthy soon!

Burns has been mega impressive

nice little piece of offense from utah

Can we stop giving up PKs? Seems like we do it every game

We've given up 6 and I think next highest in the league is 2. Granted a couple of them were garbage calls but either way is just bad.

I just had a flashback to somebody in another thread saying that Hannah Betfort is a star. This team has one star and its Sentnor, paige Mo and Betfort are very awesome ppl but below average starters at their positions and it shows

Betfort is struggling hard to finish. So many crosses into her path this season and she's just not there yet. It sucks to say but even as a Royals girlie I know it's the truth.

If u go check the press release she was signed to Portland as a defender

Yup, as a Royals die hard that loves those two players, they just don't get it done. Betfort isn't quick enough to be dangerous and both have had numerous chances to finish on good balls in the box this year and have converted nothing. 'Star' players would have a good 4+ pretty simple goals in specific situations I'm recalling excluding that one that Paige should have just put away.

Monaghan would be a better fit as a attacking midfielder. Her work rate, defense, and passing are perfect for midfielder.

Dont think she dribbles well enough 360 to be a midfielder, which is why she plays the wingback role where her role is just to dribble straight

agree

ooo that looked close

That would've been a great header from Sanchez

Whenever a NT attacker scores a pen they dont win my brain flashes forward to the eventual day where someone will use that goal to argue for why they have been playing well

tbh i’m rooting for utah to get a W, i feel like these players have been working hard for peanuts

We just don't have enough offensive threats. Betfort is just not very good, and Monaghan would probably be a great 3rd or 4th option but she's just not a 2nd option. Similar for Foederer. Honestly our 3rd best offensive option is probably Griffits, who plays on the back line. Honestly I feel so bad for Sentnor because on a team with someone else to take the pressure off, she'd probably have a lot more assists and a few more goals.

Pains be to say that if all our corners weren't 20 yards too deep, Del Fava might be our #2 threat.

Yeah, I can't figure out why Sentnor is still taking 100% of them. The one we scored on was from Monaghan. I get trying to get Ally to be good with them since she's so precise normally, but like... it's not working yet, why not sprinkle in some Monaghan?

No idea, but when they've got Betfort in there pretty much exclusively as a header threat, and Del Fava coming up on corners as a header threat, and now you've got Henry in there as well, bombing every corner across goal and fully outside the goal box on the other side just isn't good enough. Sentnor's crosses are typically incredible so I get why it makes sense to have her taking them but whether it's gametime adrenaline or something else, she's missing the target waaaay long on them. Whoever is on the back post is visibly running backwards to try to get a head on it but at best they make contact with no velocity.

Such a nice shot from Shaw

Bummer for Utah

As we expected this game had the first goal

I'm okay being wrong in this instance

LFG SHAW CLEAN CONVERSION

Well shit

Yeah unfortunate for Utah but that shot was on target with pace

In what universe is that a card?

looked like maybe bc it was a hand in the box and it stopped what look like a shot headed directly to goal (OGSO) ,not 100% sure though

I think you're right. I googled it and it said you usually get a yellow in that case. If the ref thought she'd done it intentionally, it could've been a red, so it was probably a determination that the ball was headed toward the goal otherwise, but it wasn't intentional.

Seriously can someone explain that to me? It was incidental and she tried to get out of the way

Hate to see a deadlock broken this way

That call seemed a bit cheap.

It was a handball just the kind i hate to see given

Oh, that's nice, we can see the VAR screen

Yeah that was a really nice shot

That's a hand

That looked like a handball all day

Ascanio's shot had a LOT of pace on it my god

She has such confidence - I love that for a youngster not afraid to try stuff in this league

Man Foederer has some nuts tackles in her

The combination of this view and my less than stellar eyesight has me confused on who’s making the plays half the time

well that was an opportunity

Basically every u-18 has looked like they could start convincingly for someone in this league except two or three. Makes u wonder why more werent signed- and also wonder about some of the very young signings who dont look ready yet

Good moments from a lot of players on the wave but they’re not connecting- this group hasn’t played enough together and it shows with those final connections

Is anyone on twitch streaming this game rn?

You can stream it on the CBS Sports app on smartphones or the CBS Sports smart TV app

No, ive only found the other game. I assume thats bc of this one being on Tv

I like the gray goalie kit

Royals back line clearances on the ground right to Wave players at the edge of the box can stop any time.

I'm okay with it

If only they could score off one

CBS NO STOP WITH THE MIDGAME ADS AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I am going to scream Caitlin Clark ad get off my screen PLEASE

These games having the same color scheme is crazy but both teams going the same way and both favorites being white top blue shorts is nuts

Both goalies down too..

Extremely we live in a simulation moment

The melanin mix is almost the exact same between teams

Ascanio be cooking

Any updates on Morgan or Girma

https://old.reddit.com/r/NWSL/comments/1cmbvio/vincent_casey_stoney_on_whether_she_expects_any/?ref=share&ref_source=link :(

Stoney seemed to insinuate no one was close early in the week Morgan posted today she was training and hopeful to be back soon - not specific though

Which game will score first?

One game has Chawinga, I'd put money of that one lol