San Diego suffers against Club América in Summer Cup loss

The Wave fell 2-0 to Liga MX powerhouse Club América late in the second half at Snapdragon Stadium. 

The Wave had entered their second match of the Summer Cup tournament with hopes of another victory following their win against Bay F.C. last week. Club América had also entered eagerly looking to win after their loss to Angel City F.C. 

This was the first international match for San Diego in the tournament as it struggled to capitalize on chances and hold the away side. 

It was neck and neck for the first half of the match. Both teams came out strong, applying high-pressure lines and tough defense as they fought for possession and opportunities. Although both had multiple chances to score, the two sides went into halftime with clean sheets. 

San Diego saw a new face in the goal as Morgan Messner made her goalkeeping debut, filling in for Hillary Beall, who is out with a foot injury, and Kailen Sheridan, who is representing Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Beall made her debut last week against Bay F.C. but was ruled out earlier this week per interim head coach Paul Buckle.

Messner saw plenty of action and made difficult saves that kept the Wave in the game well into the second half. 

“It was a bit of a last-minute decision, but I felt that I had the team behind me,” Messner said. “Felt confident in our preparation. Just wanted to go out there and have some fun.”

She made a few saves in the first half, putting an end to a run by Club América in the 27th and 33rd minute. 

Though the Wave had opportunities in the first twenty minutes, they couldn’t find the back of the net. Their attack was narrow and concentrated heavily in the central channels, limiting their ability to get clear shots on target and compromise América’s counterattacks. 

The most notable chances in the first 45 minutes included one with forwards María Sánchez and Alex Morgan in the 31st minute. The former Houston Dash star passed the ball across into the box to Morgan, who was able to get to it but was stopped by América keeper Sandra Paños. The Spanish international also put a stop to multiple corner kicks by Sánchez, and plays by Kristen McNabb and Savanah McCaskill. 

Sánchez previously spent time in La Liga MX Femenil playing for both C.D. Guadalajara and Club América before her time at Houston. Though she did not see any goals during the match, she showed growth as part of the San Diego roster. 

The two teams entered the locker rooms scoreless and hungry to get on the scoreboard. San Diego needed to widen their coverage and secure their back line without the help of Naomi Girma, who is competing at the Olympics. The Wave was also without Jaedyn Shaw, Kaitlyn Torpey, Emily van Egmond and recent signee Delphine Cascarino. 

The second half was reminiscent of the Wave before the international break. The performance highlighted difficulties in transitions as the team gave up some possession in an unrequited effort to outbox los Tigres. Club América continued to create problems with aggressive play in the attacking third. 

Messner’s highlight saves in her debut came midway through the second half. She cleared away a bicycle attempt in the 56th minute. A few minutes later she stopped a shot with a one-handed save off Club América’s free kick in the 60th minute. 

Club América broke the stalemate with a goal in the 78th minute by Karen Luna. The defender charged into the box, hitting a header off a corner kick perfectly into the back post. 

San Diego almost scored the equalizer minutes later as 16-year-old Kimmie Ascanio's shot flew wide of the net after a pass from 16-year-old Mel Barcenas in the 89th minute. The youngsters were subbed on during the second half as part of Buckle's plan to give younger players more minutes and opportunities to adapt to the senior team before the regular season resumes. 

Los Tigres secured their victory with another goal in stoppage time by team captain Kiana Palacios. She snuck behind San Diego's back line and placed the ball perfectly into the side netting.  

Despite the loss, Messner's performance impressed many, including Buckle. 

“It was absolutely amazing,” Buckle said. “To come in at any time is hard and add on the day before. She was ready. She made great saves.”

The Wave will play their next match on Aug. 1 against Group B leaders Angel City FC. It will be the last of the group-stage matches with the winner of the group. Wave F.C. is currently third in the group with three points while Angel City has six.