By Joel Casillas

San Diego Wave Secure Second Place with Victory Over Bay FC

San Diego Wave closed out the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Bay FC, securing second place in the 2026 NWSL standings. Although the California club still had a chance to win the Shield, it needed a favorable combination of results that ultimately did not materialize.

After dropping important points during the final weeks of the regular season, Wave entered the match with an opportunity to finish strong and keep its hopes of claiming the top spot alive. Jonas Eidevall's team needed a win of its own while hoping Gotham FC would drop points against Utah Royals.

From the opening minutes, San Diego displayed the attacking style that has defined its performances throughout the season, controlling possession, moving the ball with precision, and putting pressure on its opponent. That approach quickly paid off.

In the ninth minute, Mimi Van Zanten, who had recently signed a contract extension with the club, scored the only goal of the match to give Wave an early lead. The goal allowed San Diego to manage the game with greater confidence, maintaining control and limiting Bay FC's opportunities to respond.

Despite Wave's dominance, attention was also focused on the simultaneous match between Gotham FC and Utah Royals. San Diego needed Gotham to drop points to claim the Shield, but the New York side ultimately secured the victory and finished at the top of the standings.

As a result, San Diego finished the regular season in second place, earning the opportunity to host its playoff matches and entering the postseason with confidence.

Wave now faces an interesting storyline heading into the playoffs: its quarterfinal opponent will be Utah Royals, the same team that faced Gotham on the final day of the regular season. A different result in that match could potentially have changed the outcome of the Shield race, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming matchup.

The NWSL quarterfinals will take place on Friday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time at Snapdragon Stadium. Tickets remain available, although inventory is limited. The club is also encouraging supporters to wear pink to show their support as the team begins its pursuit of the championship.

With second place secured, San Diego Wave now turns its attention to the biggest challenge ahead: turning an impressive regular season into a championship run.

Highlights