Makenzy Doniak: The Wave FC striker you didn't know about ... until now

SAN DIEGO — When Makenzy Doniak was acquired by San Diego Wave FC before the 2022 season, it was an opportunity for her to be a contributor for an expansion team. And not just any team, but one filled with stars like Alex Morgan and Abby Dahlkemper and Kailen Sheridan. 

This team would not be one building toward the future. No, this was a team who was planning to win now. And Doniak was a part of that plan.

The six year veteran has played for three NWSL teams before Wave FC, most recently the Chicago Red Stars. In her career, Doniak has 14 goals and seven assists. Her highest goal total was with HB Koge in 2020, where she scored five goals in the Danish first division. Last season with the Red Stars, she scored three.

Wave FC gave her an opportunity to fight with the rest of the players for a spot on the field. This was a new team in a new city, with a coach who had never been a part of the NWSL before. 

“Everything, it's all new,” Doniak said. “There's not really any [expectation] because you haven't played together. Coaches, staff or players.”

Doniak joined a group of attackers such as Alex Morgan and Sofia Jakobsson, as well as young players like Kelsey Turnbow and Taylor Kornieck.

 “We have some great attackers and I think that just really adds a competitive layer in our training,” Doniak said. “I wanted to just play my best and whatever role I was given to just take that on fully.”

Grinding through injury

In the middle of a successful preseason, it was cut short for Doniak. She injured her left knee and was sidelined for the rest of the preseason. The progress she had made in proving to Wave FC head coach Casey Stoney that she should be on the field was halted. As her new teammates were learning how to play with each other, Doniak was injured. Instead of contributing on the field, she was rehabbing off of it.

“I was doing well before [the injury] and really just getting into game shape and taking all this information of formations, tactical stuff and just feeling really prepared,” Doniak said. “It's obviously hard when you're injured you feel the team kind of moves on and you're just there trying to get yourself back.”

The injury happened in March, so Doniak missed the entire Challenge Cup. A tournament which takes place before the NWSL regular season and is used to see what pieces fit best for a team's lineup. It is especially important when you are on an expansion team full of players who have no existing playing time together. 

Although a part of the active roster since Wave FC’s debut game against the Houston Dash, Doniak did not see time until the third game of the season. She played only 13 minutes.

 “It was tough because we were starting season and when you're not dealing with a team for a while to get back and just expect to be placed right back where you were was unrealistic for me,” Doniak said. “So I knew I had a little bit of an uphill battle.”  

By June 12, Doniak had only one appearance for more than 30 minutes. With the team in first place throughout the entire season, there was never a reason to experiment with the lineup. But, on June 19 against Gotham FC, Doniak scored her first goal of the season. 

It was a sign of things to come for the veteran striker. 

“I knew I would get my opportunity,” she said. “I just really had to be patient and just kind of put my head down and work towards that again.

A chance to shine

Late June was the beginning of international soccer tournaments. Wave FC would miss at least four starters for three games. Those included Jakobsson, Kornieck and Morgan. All names in front of Doniak on the depth chart. Over the next three games, she and others would be depended on to generate offense for the team. And would be expected to maintain Wave FC’s first place standing. No pressure.

“We always want to prove ourselves, but especially in the couple of weeks where key players are gone,” Doniak said. “Regardless of who's there and who's not, we are going to perform.”

Doniak certainly proved herself within just the first game the international players were gone. Against the Washington Spirit in her first start of the year, Doniak scored and had two chances created. Not bad for a player who had played no more than 45 minutes prior to the start.

In her next two starts, Doniak had a combined five shots and a chance created. She had become one of the more dependable Wave FC pieces through the three games. “I was able to kind of have a little bit more confidence knowing that I could play a little more freely and take some risks,” Doniak said about having more playing time. “I think that paid off and I got some goals.”

Most importantly, in the three games without some of their top players, the team stayed atop the NWSL table. The offense being controlled by Doniak and others who were used to inconsistent minutes on the bench proved something. This team has depth. 

“I think it was a great time for players to step up and really just take on their new roles and perform those to the best of their abilities,” Doniak said. “I definitely think there was a sense of pride and I think just wanting to do their best for the team.”

Embracing her role

Saturday, July 31, was Morgan and Kornieck’s first game back from international duty. After three straight starts, Doniak was back on the bench. Even without consistent minutes, she is putting the success of the team first. 

“I want to keep improving and just keep the upward climb,” Doniak said. “You know, it doesn't matter that we're on the top of the table right now. I think it matters in the end.”

The forward believes one of the big reasons for Wave FC’s success in its first season is Stoney’s open and honest communication with the team. “Casey does a good job of letting all of us know what our roles are and really giving us confidence,” she said. “Whether that is coming off the bench or starting doesn't matter.”

Beyond Stoney as the head coach, it is the veteran leadership in executive positions like Jill Ellis and players on the field like Morgan which makes this team ready to compete for a title. 

“We have a lot of experienced players who have been there before, have won championships and know what it takes,” Doniak said. “The job of those players, myself included, is to really push that standard on and players who maybe haven't played in championship or haven't been in the league for very long.”

When pushing for a championship, you need above-average players all around your club who are focused on one thing: Winning. No egos, no complaints about playing time or tactics — just winning. Whether it is guiding younger players from the bench or scoring goals on the field, Doniak has proven she is about just that. Winning.