First takeaways from San Diego Wave FC's extra-time win over Chicago Red Stars

San Diego Wave FC hosted the Chicago Red Stars in the first round of the playoffs Sunday night. It was a game where most Wave FC fans felt confident going in because two of the club's most impactful players returned from injury. Both Alex Morgan and Taylor Kornieck were questionable coming into the game yet made the starting 11.

After a slow start to the game, Wave FC dominated the field of play from the second half on. Yes, 90 minutes was not enough to end the deadlock between these two as the game went to extra time. But in the end, who else would it be to continue Wave FC's historic season? Morgan scored the go-ahead goal for Wave FC in the 110th minute to defeat the Red Stars 2-1 at home and complete the comeback win, extending the team's historic inaugural season. 

Nightmare start

For Wave FC to win this game, it was apparent it would take a great defensive effort with little to no mistakes. Even with Kornieck and Morgan in the lineup, offensive chances were going to be hard to come by given their recent injury status. 

Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan’s bad touch put the ball right at Red Star striker Yuki Nagasto’s feet just outside the box in the 10th minute — not quite the  start Wave FC was hoping for. With Sheridan beyond the perimeter of the box, Nagasato placed a perfect chip over the keeper’s head and gave the visitors an early lead.

Sheridan, who has been one of the top keepers in NWSL and has nine clean sheets this season, made a mistake she will almost surely never make again in her career. Mistakes like that can be especially costly in the playoffs, where good teams are there to capitalize. 

"Kailen made a mistake she has never made probably before and she's kind of bailed us out so many times this season," Morgan said. "Many of us went up to her and we're just like, 'We got you, don't worry, we are getting back in this game."

Defensive midfielder, offensive hero

While Wave FC ended the first half with just a single shot on target, the second half was different. Chance by chance, Wave FC were beginning to crack the Red Stars' defense, which finally broke in the 68th minute. Off of a deflected Sofia Jakobsson cross, defensive midfielder Emily van Egmond shot a bouncing ball through the net for the score and Wave FC’s first goal of the game. 

It was van Egmond’s first goal of the season, and in fact, her NWSL goal since 2014, when she played for the Red Stars. 

Just when the game seemed as though it would remain a 1-0 score scattered with multiple Wave FC chances, van Egmond gave her team and the fans new life and energy. It was the first time all game the home fans had something to cheer about and could finally have their own impact on the game. 

Alex Morgan called game

In Wave FC's first-ever playoff game, in its brand new stadium packed with an NWSL playoff record 26, 215 fans, who else would it be other than Morgan to score the go-ahead goal and send Wave FC to the next round of the playoffs? 

Morgan has been the leader and a pillar for this team in its inaugural season on and off the field. Leading the NWSL in goals with 15, it was only a matter of time before she made her stamp on this game. From almost an impossible angle on the left side of the field, Morgan struck the ball with her left foot that Red Stars and USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was not able to corral. 

Yes, Morgan scored 15 other goals this season, but none will be remembered more than this goal on this stage. Morgan sent the home crowd into hysteria and now Wave FC's historic inaugural season will continue as it heads to Portland next weekend with a chance to make the NWSL finals.