The 2026 San Diego Wave FC season is the team's fifth season as a professional women's soccer team. Based in San Diego, California, United States, San Diego Wave FC plays in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.
Background
In 2025, the Wave navigated through its first season with new head coach Jonas Eidevall at the helm. The club finished the regular season in sixth place, qualifying for the postseason for the third time in history. In the first round of the 2025 NWSL playoffs, San Diego lost in extra time to Portland Thorns FC after Reilyn Turner scored a goal in the 94th minute. Following the conclusion of the NWSL season, the Wave participated in the World Sevens Football tournament, finishing as champions and winning a prize of two million dollars.
Offseason changes Multiple players departed from San Diego during the offseason. Leading goalscorer Delphine Cascarino moved to the London City Lionesses in a mission to return closer to her family. Starting goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan left the Wave in December 2025, leaving Kristen McNabb as the only remaining player in San Diego from the club's inaugural roster after Makenzy Robbe also departed. Kyra Carusa, Savannah McCaskill, Hanna Lundkvist, and Quincy McMahon also parted ways with the Wave.
In January 2026, the Wave acquired Brazilian forward Ludmila from Chicago Stars FC in exchange for a fee that could reach up to one million dollars. Fellow Brazilian Gabi Portilho, ex-Bay FC player Kiki Pickett, and NCAA national champion Mimi Van Zanten were also among San Diego's incoming transfers.
Kit changes On February 26, 2026, the Wave unveiled its new community kit. Titled the 'Balboa Park Kit,' the new set of jerseys pays tribute to the historic San Diegan Balboa Park, featuring accents reminiscent of the park's tile work.
Team Current squad .
Player
Coaching staff
CoachingTechnical
Competitions
Preseason
Regular season
Regular season standings
Results summary
Results by matchday
Matches
Statistics
Appearances and goals Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
! colspan=14 style="background:#032E62; color:white; border:2px solid #FC1896; text-align:center;" |Goalkeepers
! colspan=14 style="background:#032E62; color:white; border:2px solid #FC1896; text-align:center;" |Defenders
! colspan=14 style="background:#032E62; color:white; border:2px solid #FC1896; text-align:center;" |Midfielders
! colspan=14 style="background:#032E62; color:white; border:2px solid #FC1896; text-align:center;" |Forwards
Transactions Contract operations DatePlayerFee/notesContract untilDecember 17, 2025 Jordan FuscoMFFree agent re-signing2027December 31, 2025 Melanie BarcenasFWFree agent re-signing2026January 2, 2026 Nya HarrisonDFFree agent re-signing2026January 16, 2026 DiDi HaračićGKFree agent re-signing2026January 26, 2026 Gia CorleyMFContract extension2027March 5, 2026 Kenza DaliMFContract extension2027April 27, 2026 Kristen McNabbDFContract extension2027July 9, 2026 Trinity ByarsFWContract extension2028
Transfers in DatePlayerPrevious clubFee/notesContract untilDecember 29, 2025 Mimi Van ZantenDF Florida State SeminolesCollege signing2027 + 2 optionsDecember 30, 2025 Lia GodfreyMF Virginia CavaliersCollege signing2027 + 2 optionsJanuary 12, 2026 Leah FreemanGK Bay FCFree agent signing2026January 13, 2026 LudmilaFW Chicago StarsAcquired in trade for $800,000, with a possible additional $200,000, pending conditions met2028January 16, 2026 Kiki PickettDF Bay FCFree agent signing2027January 27, 2026 Luisa AgudeloGK Deportivo CaliAcquired in exchange for an undisclosed transfer fee2028March 2, 2026 Gabi PortilhoFW Gotham FCAcquired in trade for $175,0002026 + optionMarch 4, 2026 Tatum WynaldaMF Pepperdine WavesCollege player signed to an injury replacement contractThrough 2026 NWSL seasonMarch 9, 2026 Jordan FuscoMF Tampa Bay SunRecall from loan2027March 27, 2026 Catarina MacarioFW ChelseaAcquired in trade for approximately $300,0002030June 10, 2026 Sandra PañosGK Club AméricaSigned as a free agent2028July 28, 2026 Laila HarbertMF ArsenalAcquired through 2029 NWSL season2029July 31, 2026 Brooklyn CourtnallDF Bay FCAcquired on loan through 2026 NWSL season2026
Transfers out DatePlayerDestination clubFee/notesDecember 9, 2025 Hillary BeallGK Houston DashOut of contract Kyra CarusaFW HB Køge Mya JonesFW Calgary Wild Hanna LundkvistDF Manchester United Chiamaka OkwuchukwuFW Makenzy RobbeFW Houston DashDecember 17, 2024 Jordan FuscoMF Tampa Bay SunLoan through June 8, 2026December 29, 2025 Kailen SheridanGK North Carolina CourageMutual contract terminationJanuary 2, 2026 Savannah McCaskillMF Gotham FCTraded for $175,000 in intraleague transfer fundsJanuary 12, 2026 Quincy McMahonDF Racing LouisvilleTraded for $50,000 in allocation money and a 2026 + 2027 international roster spotJanuary 18, 2026 Delphine CascarinoFW London City LionessesMutual contract terminationJanuary 30, 2026 Sintia CabezasDF Les MarseillaisesTransfer for an undisclosed feeJune 23, 2026 Daniela AriasDFMutually agreed to part waysJuly 23, 2026 Leah FreemanGK LazioMutually agreed to part ways
Preseason trialists Trialists are non-rostered invitees during preseason and are not automatically signed. The Wave's preseason roster, which was released on January 16, 2026, listed four non-rostered invitees. PlayerPrevious club Jordan BrewsterDF Bay FC Kali KniskernFW Club Tijuana Molly McDougalDF USC Trojans Tatum WynaldaFW Pepperdine Waves
References