Match Preview: San Diego Wave FC vs North Carolina Courage

SAN DIEGO (September 6, 2024) – San Diego Wave FC returns to Snapdragon Stadium to host North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 8. The game will mark Wave FC captain and forward Alex Morgan's last game when the legendary striker announced her retirement earlier this week. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT, with limited tickets available HereThe game will be streamed live on NWSL+ and broadcast locally on FOX 5/KUSI.

The series between San Diego and North Carolina is currently in favor of the Wave with the record holder 2-0-2 before their fifth meeting overall. The last time they met, the Wave shared the points with the Courage in a goalless away game on October 7, 2023 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The shutout was the 30th in goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s NWSL career and San Diego secured a bye in the first round and home advantage for the 2023 semifinals.

Last time outside
In San Diego's last game, the club caught up and equalized against Washington Spirit to 1:1 at Snapdragon Stadium on Sept. 1. Washington took the lead in the 30th minute when a clearance by defender Kennedy Wesley rebounded off another Wave player and into the net. The Wave fought for an equalizer throughout the second half and finally tied the game in the 68th minute when defender Kristen McNabb converted a corner kick from forward María Sánchez, giving the defender her first goal of the season.

North Carolina earned a 2-1 win over Kansas City Current on September 1. The Currents opened the scoring in the 62nd minute. by Temwa Chawinga, who set a league record with her 14th goal of the season. Just five minutes later, Australian international Courtney Vine scored her first NWSL goal to equalize for the Courage. North Carolina then scored the decisive goal in the final minutes through midfielder Brianna Pinto.

Players in focus
San Diego captain and forward Alex Morgan will finish her career in Sunday's game as the club's all-time leading scorer (23) and all-time leading assist provider (8) since joining the team ahead of the team's inaugural 2022 season. In nearly 11 years in the NWSL, Morgan made 149 regular season appearances for three teams – Portland Thorns FC (2013-15), Orlando Pride (2016-21) and San Diego Wave FC (2022-24). For San Diego, Morgan appeared in 62 games for the Wave in all competitions and was consistently there for the club in big moments. The forward scored in the game that helped San Diego win the 2023 NWSL Shield on Oct. 27, 2023, and she scored the game-winning goal in the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup on March 15, for which she was named tournament MVP. The club will honor Morgan before the game against North Carolina and celebrate her illustrious career at the club's final home game on Sunday, November 3, at Snapdragon Stadium.

Ashley Sanchez is North Carolina's leading scorer this season (4) and leads the assists list (3). The striker's last goal came on July 7 against Racing Louisville, when she found space in the box and scored a header that tied the game and helped the team come back from a deficit to ultimately win 3-1.

How to watch
Sunday's game between San Diego and North Carolina will be played at Snapdragon Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT. Tickets are available. Here and will be broadcast live on NWSL+ and streamed locally on FOX 5/KUSI.