The San Diego Wave secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Racing Louisville on August 28, 2026, thanks to midfielder Kenza Dali's spectacular return and game-winning goal.
Why it matters: This match showcased the resilience of the Wave, who overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit. Dali's performance marked her return from injury and highlighted her importance to the team.
Kenza Dali returned from a three-week injury absence to score the decisive goal in the 80th minute.
The win is a much-needed boost for the Wave as they vie for position in the competitive NWSL standings.
Forward Trinity Byars played a key role, scoring two goals and assisting in the comeback.
Driving the news: The Wave started the match poorly, falling behind 2-0 at halftime. Racing Louisville's aggressive play stifled San Diego's offense early on.
Louisville's Kayla Fischer opened the scoring in the 12th minute, setting up Lauren Milliet for a goal.
In the 23rd minute, Taylor Flint doubled the lead for Louisville with a well-placed finish off a set piece.
San Diego struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, facing familiar challenges against aggressive opponents.
State of play: The second half saw a dramatic turnaround for the Wave, spurred by Dali's return and Byars' offensive prowess.
Mimi Van Zanten assisted Byars, who scored her first goal of the match just two minutes into the second half.
Byars netted her second goal of the night in the 76th minute, tying the game at 2-2.
Dali's game-winning strike came shortly after, sealing the comeback victory for San Diego.
Time
Event
12'
Kayla Fischer scores for Racing Louisville (1-0).
23'
Taylor Flint adds a second goal for Louisville (2-0).
47'
Trinity Byars scores for San Diego Wave (2-1).
76'
Byars scores again, tying the game (2-2).
80'
Kenza Dali scores the game-winner (3-2).
The big picture: The Wave's victory marks a positive shift in momentum as they continue to navigate a challenging season.
San Diego has now earned seven points from their last three matches, improving their standing in the league.
By scoring four goals and providing two assists in the last two games, Byars has become a standout player for the Wave.
Dali’s return to form is a promising sign for the team as they prepare for upcoming matches.
What they're saying: Post-match comments from players and coaching staff highlight the significance of this win.
“We weren’t really happy with how we played in the first half, but at halftime we knew we had to lock in,” Byars said.
Coach Jonas Eidevall praised Dali, calling her “one of the heartbeats in the team.”
Dali acknowledged the importance of being more aggressive, stating, “I always pass it, and I was like, all right, like maybe they’re right. I need to shoot a little bit more.”
By the numbers: Key statistics from the match underline the Wave’s performance.
Dali's goal was her first since returning from injury, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Byars now has ten goals in 16 games this season, along with two assists.
The Wave scored three goals in a single match for the second consecutive game, indicating an offensive resurgence.
What's next: The San Diego Wave will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming match.
The team is scheduled to face the Seattle Reign on September 6, 2026.
As they prepare for this away game, the Wave will aim to maintain their strong performance and continue climbing the NWSL standings.
With Dali and Byars leading the way, the Wave are optimistic about their chances moving forward.