It’s still early for both San Diego Wave FC and San Diego FC, but there is no denying that they have had diametrically opposed starts to their seasons.
Despite Wednesday night’s 2-0 loss to the Portland Thorns – the setback ended a five-game win streak – the Wave is currently second in the NWSL standings after seven games. SDFC, however, is in a five-game skid and sits in 11th place in the 15-team MLS Western Conference.
This weekend they both play at home, with SDFC (3-5-2) hosting rivals LAFC on Saturday, and the Wave (5-2-0) welcoming Bay FC on Sunday.
Fans want Lozano
For San Diego FC, somehow Hirving “Chucky” Lozano still remains in limbo. Though the club made it clear that he’s not a part of its future, the Mexican star is still a part of SDFC.
Not surprisingly, fans are frustrated with the situation. The clearest evidence of that came in the team’s April 25 loss to the Portland Timbers at Snapdragon Stadium, where many fans lingered after the final whistle, voicing their frustration by repeatedly chanting Lozano’s name.
Yet head coach Mikey Varas, who clashed with Lozano last season, leading to the impasse, stood firm after the 2-1 loss.
“Everyone has a right to cheer however they want and support however they want,” he said. “That’s up to every individual as long as it’s not discriminatory or against our values. So, I’m a big boy.”
Macario debut
The only possible distraction, and it’s a positive one at that, for the Wave is deciding when the best time will be for forward Catarina Macario to make her first appearance on the pitch.
Macario’s signing was announced on March 27, but she continues to deal with a lingering heel injury that has delayed her debut.
“San Diego is obviously where I grew up and it’s where all my journey began,” said Macario during the welcome press conference. “To have this opportunity to come back and represent this great club means a lot to me.”
The Wave is already stacked on both ends of the pitch with the likes of Lia Godfrey, Melanie Barcenas and Dudinha – along with the talented Kristen McNabb, who recently set the team record for most appearances – commanding the backline.
This weekend will be a crucial match for both clubs because the Wave wants to avoid a repeat of last season, when the squad also started off red-hot, losing just two of its first 10 games, only to finish in sixth place and fall in the first round of the NWSL playoffs.
On the other hand, SDFC needs to get off the schneid as it takes on LAFC. This will be no easy task, with LAFC in third place in the Western Conference. However, the club has the disadvantage of having just played on Wednesday in the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal, though LAFC beat Toluca 2-1.
Even a draw could be seen as a step in the right direction for SDFC, not just to break the winless streak – they have not recorded a win since Toluca shut them out in March – but to at least momentarily silence fans still steamed over Lozano’s status.