The San Diego Wave struck fast Saturday night — at long last in their star-crossed season — defeating the Utah Royals 2-1 in Sandy, Utah.
Forward Amirah Ali scored just 27 seconds into play — the fastest goal in team history and the fourth-fastest ever in the league, prompting interim head coach Landon Donovan to tell the media: “She was really awesome tonight. I’m really happy for her.”
Ali found the back of the net as San Diego became the final club in the National Women’s Soccer League to win on the road this year.
“I knew that we were going to play well tonight,” Donovan said. “I certainly didn’t expect two goals in the first six minutes.”
Midfielder Delphine Cascarino went down the right wing to the end line and sent a cross to the near post and Ali redirected it with her body into the back of the net.
Moments later, the Wave (4-9-7, 19 points) continued to put pressure on expansion Utah (4-13-3, 15 points) and doubled the lead in the sixth minute — viewed by 9,494 at America First Field.
Midfielder Emily van Egmond played in captain Makenzy Doniak behind the line of Utah and the Southern California native found an ongoing Cascarino on the far post.
“Delphine has world-class qualities,” Donovan said. “You see it in all kinds of moments. … Her quality helped us so much tonight.”
The French international struck it first time past Utah goalkeeper Mandy Haught on a night midfielder Jaedyn Shaw made her first appearance for the Wave since July 5.
The 19-year-old was with the U.S. Women’s National Team that won the gold medal at the Olympics and had been out with a thigh injury since returning to San Diego.
In the 59th minute, Utah’s newest signee — Cloé Lacasse — ripped a shot from outside the 18-yard box off the post and into the side netting out of range of goalkeeper Hillary Beall.
The Wave’s regular goalkeeper — Olympian Kailen Sheridan — wasn’t available due to suspension for a red card in the club’s last match.
Donovan said he held a meeting with the team his week to let players open up about the emotional nature of this season, which included the sacking of debut coach Casey Stoney.
“I’ve never been around a team that has had to deal with the things they have had to deal with this year,” he said. “It’s no wonder they weren’t able to perform at a high level, when the whole team is carrying that. How are you supposed to perform?”
Donovan said the upcoming playoffs can’t be the focus. Rather the team needs to improve to have a chance to win every week and have high standards.
“At least now we are in a position to win,” he added. “That’s a change from what I saw four weeks ago.”
Next up, San Diego returns home to face Portland Thorns in the Concacaf W Champions Cup on at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The Wave will play three games in a 10-day span — Portland (Sept. 18), at Chicago (Sept. 21) and hosting Portland again (Sept. 28).
