The 2022 NWSL regular season wrapped up its third week on Sunday. Due to overlap with the Challenge Cup and a game rescheduled due to COVID-19 protocols, only seven of the leagues 12 teams have played three matches. Only one team has won three games, and that’s California expansion team San Diego Wave FC. Only one team has even won two matches, and that’s the other expansion team, Angel City FC. After struggling in the Cup, the league’s newest expansion franchises are reintroducing themselves to NWSL audiences in the regular season, and over the last three weeks, the league’s newest teams have taken down four 2021 NWSL playoff teams.
On Sunday, San Diego Wave FC defeated the Chicago Red Stars, 2-1 after goals from Alex Morgan and Kaleigh Riehl, and Angel City FC took down 2021 NWSL Champions Washington Spirit, 1-0, thanks to a game winner by Christen Press.
Let’s take a look at exactly how these California sides have been picking up results against established NWSL teams:
San Diego is an attacking force thanks to Alex Morgan
Casey Stoney is the only coach this season to have his squad kick off the regular season with three consecutive wins after defeating Chicago on Sunday. It took them almost until the hour-mark to break through, thanks to an Alex Morgan penalty.
“I think I played it first to Alex [Morgan] and then she played me again,” Sofia Jakobsson said of the play. “I could run and felt like I would have a good opportunity to score, but then [Kayla Sharples] fouled me and then we got a penalty.” While fouls can at time feel lucky, the Wave are committed to making their own luck. They’ve taken 35 touches per match in the opposition penalty area so far this season. That’s more than any other NWSL team.
In general, San Diego has simply buried teams with shots and chances, with the trusted that eventually those shots would turn into goals. They take 18 shots per match, which is…
Source : cbssports
