San Diego Wave FC handled business on the road Sunday, defeating Chicago Stars FC 2-0 at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in National Women’s Soccer League action.
The visitors were on the front foot almost immediately and needed just three minutes to break through. Dudinha found the opening goal in the 3rd minute, giving San Diego an early advantage and forcing Chicago to chase the match from the outset.
That quick strike shaped the rhythm of the afternoon. San Diego controlled more of the ball, finishing with 55.9 percent possession, and consistently looked the more dangerous side in the final third. The Wave ended the match with 17 total shots and seven on target, compared with Chicago’s 10 shots and three efforts on frame.
Chicago tried to grow into the fixture after the early setback and had stretches where they competed well, but clear-cut openings were hard to come by. San Diego’s defensive structure held up, and the away side also matched Chicago on corner kicks at three apiece, limiting any sustained home pressure from set-piece situations.
The first half also brought a pair of cautions for San Diego, with Kenza Dali booked in the 18th minute and Perle Morroni shown yellow in the 22nd, but the visitors never lost their grip on the contest. They carried a 1-0 lead into the interval and protected it through a tense second half as Chicago searched for an equalizer.
With the home side pushing higher and committing numbers forward late on, San Diego finally put the result beyond doubt in deep stoppage time. Trinity Byars struck in the 90’+13′ to cap the afternoon and seal all three points for the Wave.
In the end, San Diego’s efficiency in both boxes made the difference. Dudinha’s 3rd-minute goal gave the Wave the platform, and Byars’ late finish applied the final touch to an assured away performance. For Chicago, it was a frustrating afternoon in front of a crowd of 6,014 as they were left to rue another missed opportunity to turn effort into end product.
Final score: Chicago Stars FC 0-2 San Diego Wave FC.
