Where does San Diego Wave stand following the draft?

What do San Diego Wave already have in place?

San Diego began its first season at Torero Stadium before the club moved to Snapdragon where it drew 25,000 fans twice, winning on both occasions. Last season included two of the top-five highest attendance totals in league history. The Wave’s 1-0 triumph over Angel City which brought in 32,000 fans in the opening of the Snapdragon is currently the most-attended match since the league was founded in 2012.

With that kind of passionate fanbase, who knows what kind of records this club will set in 2023, especially with the type of squad Stoney will put out to kick off this upcoming campaign.

Ellis and the Wave have the 2022 NWSL Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Defender of the Year, and the Golden Boot winner. So far during this offseason, there has been no complacency with Stoney and San Diego securing one of the Red Stars’ most crucial pieces in the middle of the pitch, Danielle Colaprico on a two-year deal.

Colaprico finished top-12 in the NWSL last season in tackles plus interceptions, and progressive passes. Her ability to go forward while affecting the defense in a positive way is going to elevate the ceiling of the club on all fronts.

Just a few days before Coloprico committed to a move to California, her teammate in Chicago, Rachel Hill decided to follow. The 27-year-old NWSL veteran started in 15 matches for the Red Stars last season, playing 90 or more minutes in six out of the last seven contests including the postseason. Hill’s ability to play on both flanks in the attack, and even as a wing-back, should be key with versatility and depth on top of the club’s offseason priority list.

22-year-old defender Naomi Girma lived up to her No. 1 selection through a remarkable first season in the center of San Diego’s defense. Girma finished top-six in the league in total clearances, playing near-flawless defense with only two players dribbling past her in 1,710 minutes between the white lines. Girma’s solidity along with Kailen Sheridan between the sticks make the Wave one of the most feared defenses in the league.

In the attack, other than the Morgan, and Taylor Kornieck combination San Diego has an abundance of luxuries at its disposal. Kelsey Turnbow provides versatility as she can play the No. 10 role on top of any position across the frontline. Stoney continued to go to the spark plugs off the bench, Amirah Ali, and Makenzy Doniak to bring the Wave that much-needed energy late in a match.

They may have had an offseason like the Kansas City Current with the amount of noise surrounding that club, but the Wave are quietly putting themselves in the position to contend at the top of the league once again. San Diego only made three selections in the NWSL draft, but Stoney added even more depth to the midfield before the festivities began in Philadelphia.

The club confirmed the signing of Megan Dougherty Howard from the Orlando Pride on a two-year contract. Dougherty started in 13 of her 14 matches played for the Pride, leading the team in both the goals and assists departments during a year Orlando would rather forget.