Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Reporting from Providence Park in Portland, Oregon.
Two seasons, two playoff berths. On Saturday, San Diego Wave FC defeated Portland Thorns FC, 2-0 at Providence Park became the first team to clinch a playoff berth in a chaotic 2023 National Women’s Soccer League season. It is the Wave’s second straight playoff berth after beginning play as an expansion team last season.
The Thorns and Wave entered Saturday as the top two teams in the league, respectively, and an outright win for either squad would have secured a playoff berth.
San Diego came out on their front foot and some brilliant chemistry between Jaedyn Shaw and Kyra Carusa put the Wave up early. Later in the first half, Wave defender Christen Westphal was able to find the head of Alex Morgan in the box to end Morgan’s scoring drought and put San Diego up 2-0. The San Diego defense, with some brilliant saves from goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan kept the Thorns at bay until the final whistle.
“I can’t speak highly enough of…
