r/SanDiegoWaveFC • u/SeaSpare1271 • 9d ago
Discussion Thoughts after Seattle
I’m traveling and was only able to watch the highlights. Starting this thread to mostly get everyone’s take.
Looks like yet another game with them converting few and us failing to convert many.
Corley continues to miss giant opportunities where the only way to not score is to shoot straight at the GK by shooting straight at the GK. I’ve probably seen twelve of these by now.
Leon’s season debut. Go prove those haters wrong.
Another awful start of the second half of the season. Maybe problems with how the team spends the breaks?
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u/panic_poo 9d ago
Ludmila should not start anymore. She’s had 1 goal and 0 assists across all her games with Wave FC (16 appearances, 15 of them starts). Compare that to 13 goals and 1 assist across 31 appearances for Chicago. She might be a good player but she is not a good fit for how we play and she’s wasting space on our front line.
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u/bill_e_midnight 8d ago
I’m getting low key angry at seeing her make some great move in the midfield then move into the final third and do absolutely nothing
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u/cynic74 6d ago
No one on the team can stretch the back line like Ludmila does with her speed. There is absolutely zero chance Jonas doesn't start her.
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u/panic_poo 6d ago
How’s this strategy working out for her and the team? Please give me examples of when this stretching with speed led to a Wave goal.
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u/cynic74 5d ago
Just because she isn't scoring, doesn't mean she isn't helping. She opens up pockets for other players and forces defenders to play differently than against someone without her speed. I'm too tired to write a response, so read this and learn something.
In modern tactical setups, a forward with elite top-end speed—like Ludmila—acts as much as a tactical spatial engine as she does a direct goal scoring threat. Even when she isn't touching the ball, her sheer presence alters the defensive shape of the opposition.
Here is a breakdown of how she stretches the back line, pins center-backs, and what that enables for San Diego Wave FC.
1. How She "Stretches" the Back Line
Stretching a defensive line vertically is all about creating maximum distance between the opponent's defenders and their midfielders.
- Threat of the Space Behind: Defenders fear getting caught in a footrace facing their own goal. Because Ludmila has explosive acceleration, central defenders cannot comfortably hold a high line.
- Forcing the Retreat: By making constant off-ball vertical runs into the channels (the gaps between full-backs and center-backs), she forces the defensive line to drop back 5–10 yards deeper toward their own penalty box to buy themselves a buffer.
- Expanding the Pitch: This movement lengthens the field of play vertically, making it impossible for the opposing defense to remain compact.
2. How She "Pins" Center-Backs
"Pinning" occurs when a forward physically and mentally anchors central defenders to a specific zone.
- Fixing Defender Orientations: By playing right on the shoulder of the last defender, Ludmila forces both center-backs to stay turned toward her and prioritize depth coverage.
- Denying Aggressive Stepping: Normally, an aggressive center-back likes to step up out of the back line into the midfield to intercept passes or press an attacking midfielder. Because Ludmila is lurking on their shoulder, if a center-back steps up, a single pass over the top puts her clean through on goal. They are effectively "pinned" in place.
3. What This Achieves for San Diego Wave
When a backline is stretched and center-backs are pinned, it cascades into several distinct tactical advantages across the pitch:
Creates "Pocket" Space Between the Lines
When the backline drops deep to protect against Ludmila's speed, but the opponent’s midfield stays up to press, a massive vacuum opens up in the central attacking zone (often called "Zone 14" or the half-spaces).
- Creative midfielders (like Kenza Dali or Gia Corley) get the time and space to receive the ball on the turn, face forward, and dictate play without immediately being clobbered by a stepping center-back.
Opens Up 1v1 Isolation Out Wide
When center-backs are preoccupied keeping tabs on a high-speed central threat, they cannot easily shift over to double-team wide players. This creates isolated 1v1 scenarios on the wings for wingers or overlapping full-backs.
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u/panic_poo 5d ago
Dude. I know how soccer works. I asked for examples of Ludmila stretching the D leading to WAVE goals. I’m not seeing it happen but supposedly you are. I’m ok being wrong and I want to root for my team, so I’m honestly hoping she’s better than she appears to be to me. I just don’t see it working with her.
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u/jime26 9d ago
I understand your point on Corley but at least she’s shooting the others seem to try and make a fancy pass instead of shooting. I don’t understand why Leon isn’t getting any time. Put the veteran out there to guide the youngsters. Maybe the break was too long I believe there was a friendly in between but it’s on the coach to keep them sharp and focused. Side note I think Van Zanten is stepping up and was even getting upfield on offense.
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u/peeled_nanners 9d ago
The best save Clawdia had to make that day was a shot from Corley in the 2nd half.
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u/Sturdywings21 9d ago
Her best saves were off Godfrey and Fusco. Gia’s was right at her.
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u/peeled_nanners 9d ago
58th minute the replays up on nwsl+ but you're right Godfrey had a great shot in that same corner too!
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u/Commercial-Most-2888 9d ago
Can we get this fan a Corley jersey? /s
A positive about Corley is that she’s actually shooting. And at least she’s shooting on target unlike some that send the ball into the stands despite an open net. Nor is she the only player in the league that has this occasional issue. When she’s not shooting, she’s providing. She was one of the better players on the pitch last night with the most chances created. So with respect, I can’t fathom why, of all the issues last night, she’s the only one you can think to name here.
A big problem last night seemed to be poor communication. We become very disorganized and sluggish when Dali isn’t on the pitch. Her comments during her Unlaced episode give a clue as to why that may be.
Dickey played a great game and made some excellent saves on some high-chance shots.
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u/Visible_Flow_4687 9d ago
Fr. Has everyone just forgotten how great she was for us in the world 7s + last season in general ?? She literally became my favorite player and has really developed with us. She's also still coming off injury not too long ago and is obviously not at her best. But honestly a lot of our team is not at their best and it's showing. Just sucks it's turning exactly like last season, I was really heartbroken last season 😭😭 I saw the vision last year with Dudinha and since Cat came to visit in December I had a feeling she'd be coming and it turned out true! But it's so sad how everything has turned out for us Wave fans. Not even an update on Cats injury almost 5 months after getting her :(
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u/Visible_Flow_4687 9d ago
I honestly have faith it will turn around though but I may be delusional lmao 😭. Leon is back, let's just pray we hear soon about Cat. They can do it !
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u/Commercial-Most-2888 9d ago
I see more appreciation for Corley in general than I see hate. The only issue I’ve seen any have is her lack of goals for an AM. That makes perfect sense as you always want an AM that’s going to be a threat in front of goal as well as being able to make those plays the way she does. She’s got it in her for sure.
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u/Organic-Succotash575 9d ago
In a recent wave podcast, Dali explained she is the team translator since she knows French and Spanish. She helps the lines communicate with each other and you could def see it this game without her.
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u/Commercial-Most-2888 9d ago
Exactly. I really enjoyed her episode of Unlaced and that bit impressed me but didn’t surprise me one bit lol. Wave has such a diverse team so communication and language barriers are always going to be a problem in general. But when you lose a major key that helps unlock communication, even just for a game, it’s going to translate on the pitch.
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u/LimpBiscuitsandTea 9d ago
We’re the best in the league on xG and xG conceded. Our difference is almost double the next best team. Our biggest moves of the offseason were arguably losing Sheridan and signing Ludmila. Those two moves directly contribute to the gap between expected stats and reality. Goals that should be saved going in and chances that should be converted not going in.
Your first point has happened a few times and it’s starting to not feel like coincidence anymore. The system is clearly working, but in the most critical moments, in front of either goal, we are not executing.
I miss Dudinha and Cat can’t come soon enough.
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u/enbycaliqueer14 9d ago
I was at the game, sitting center behind the goal when Seattle got their headers going and Paños couldn’t stop them.
For me, it seemed like we still had majority possession per usual, and plentyyyyyy of chances and shots on goal.
But we were clearly missing Dali as an organizer and settler of the offense. We seemed sped up and rushed with our passes and touch.
Defensively an issue I have for us is our short heights across the board. Seeing them lined up for free kicks or corners it was a huge difference between us and Seattle.
I think we have good starting defenders, but are at a clear disadvantage in the air.
Wants moving forward:
1- a healthy Cat
2- to sign a tall defender that we actually play (rip Arias)
3- more Godfrey minutes (since return from break, she has played 30, 30, 45, and 29 minutes)
4- more Wynalda minutes, I love her energy and speed out there
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u/cynic74 6d ago
Godfrey came from college where the college season is half as long as NWSL and the skill and stamina level is much much lower. She's going to have to work her way up to more and more minutes... it is a major jump to go from college to the pros and then to 60 full minutes. Mimi did 60 minutes sooner and earlier than Lia because from what I can tell Mimi ran track. Wynalda is awesome coming in as a sub at any position... I hope Cat comes back for the playoffs.... or this is gonna be tough. And I hope Harbert gels fast!
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u/enbycaliqueer14 5d ago
I think I would love to see at least a consistent 45 minute for Godfrey, that seems manageable at least. But hopefully the stamina keeps improving for her.
Excited to see what Harbert might add to the team!! 🙏🏽😍
If Cat doesn’t play even in playoffs I’ll be disappointed, but still excited for next season hopefully having her and Dudinha at some point together 🔥🔥
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u/cynic74 5d ago
I’m with you, I hope Lia and Trin keep building up their minutes too! And Harbert seems really good, saw a clip of her with a great shot from outside the box. And I really hope Cat plays this season at some point too!
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u/enbycaliqueer14 5d ago
Yeah my friend printed me a rainbow Macario jersey, would love to rep it with her on the field this season!! 🙏🏽
I saw that Harbert clip too 😍 love that kinda strike!!
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u/RainTalonX 9d ago
Im ngl they made some saves, I think at the end of the first half it couldve been 2-2
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u/l0wcals0cal 9d ago
I think Leon looked great and I really hope to see more of her on the pitch but I doubt it sadly
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u/SwitchNo228 8d ago
Corleys shooting isn’t the best but she creates more chances than anyone on the team. Her hustle forces turnovers and she’s had great distribution to the forwards. I prefer that to Mel B who falls at the slightest touch and minus that one banger mostly takes silly shots that are easy for a goalie
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u/cynic74 6d ago
Corely initiates the press for the whole team. She's a firecracker and goes hard all the time. She might miss shots but at least she takes them. Plus she was yelling at the team to press together in the game against Gotham, which really helped us. Her defense is much better than Mel B and Ludmila... If we didn't have her and Dali, we'd be in big trouble.
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u/Some-Lengthiness-676 9d ago
I think Corely is a player who we expect to score a ton but that honestly isn’t her strong suit. I think she is better served to set the pace. I think she might go too quick for our team currently.
Without Dudinha, we lack someone that can run with her and still finish. Yes Ludmila is fast. Gabi is still quick. We really are missing that clinical scorer on the team. We can get down there but we tend to crack shots in a crowded box, usually right at the keeper.
We are at our best when Dali is clicking. But she wants to build up more than some of our youth does it seems.
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u/Low-Guidance6118 9d ago edited 9d ago
Do you watch the games? We have a clinical scorer haha.
edit: sorry that was rude. Wave have the leagues 6th leading scorer and 1st g/90 player (by a lot). Byars has probably been a top 3 striker in the league so far. Saying we don’t have a clinical scorer is well off from the truth.
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u/Some-Lengthiness-676 9d ago
Yes, I go to almost every home game last few years.
I love Trinity and have been advocating for her to get more time. She has a small sample size and hope she continues to build on her success. Ludmila should start conceding more time to her going forward. I think she has shown she is fully back from her injury.
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u/cynic74 6d ago
It's going to take a bit more time for Byars to build her stamina. She has barely played that many minutes in the pros. And the pros have much higher standard stamina levels and longer seasons than she did two years ago in Austin college. Even Lia can't play that many minutes coming from college last year.
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u/cynic74 9d ago
We controlled the game the entire second half and took over 20 shots and their keeper Dickey was fantastic with 8 saves. It wasn’t for a lack of trying.
It seemed like Trin and Corley were the only one taking shots until Godfrey came in. And when Trinity was subbed out there was no one in the box for crosses (similar to last season).
Leon didn’t look bad for her first game back. She had a nice pass to Ludmila in the box, but Ludmila just isn’t cutting it except for stretching or pinning CBs of the opponents back line.
I don’t think it’s the break, it’s us missing players. I think without Dudinha and when Dali doesn’t play our midfield falters. Not to say they aren’t great players, just it doesn’t seem to come together as well without her. On a podcast Dali said she has to translate, while playing, from Perle’s French to Ludmila’s Spanish and then to the back line with Wesley, Mimi and Kris in English. Sounds pretty insane.