Wave claim second seed but face stadium conflict for NWSL semis
A 1-0 win secures playoff home advantage, yet San Diego State football and CBS broadcast slots threaten the semifinal host rights.
By Nadia Singh ·
The San Diego Wave recorded their 18th victory of the season on Sunday afternoon. They defeated Bay FC, 1-0, in the regular-season finale. This result locked the club into second place in the National Women's Soccer League. The team now holds the number two seed in the eight-team playoff bracket. The win also qualifies the Wave for the Concacaf W Champions Cup next year.
The victory came from a ninth-minute goal by rookie defender Mimi Van Zanten. The score remained unchanged for the rest of the match. Coach Jonas Eidevall avoided discussing the upcoming scheduling complications immediately after the final whistle. He stated that the team's focus remained on performance rather than logistics. Eidevall noted that the top two placement offers the possibility of playing two playoff games at home if the team advances.
A conflict exists between the Wave's home semifinal rights and local events. Both semifinal matches are scheduled for fixed time slots on network television. One game airs Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m. PST on CBS. The other airs Sunday at noon PST on ABC. The higher seed typically receives home advantage, but both top teams face scheduling issues at their home venues on Nov. 14.
Snapdragon Stadium hosts a San Diego State football game against Utah State at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 14. Playing the soccer match earlier that day likely does not allow enough time to re-line the field for the football game. In New Jersey, the number one seed, NJ/NY Gotham FC, plays at Sports Illustrated Stadium. That venue hosts an international friendly between the New York Red Bulls and Club America that same night.
Only one of the top two seeds can play on Sunday. The top seed usually receives preference in such cases. This may force the Wave to find an alternative venue or cede the home semifinal to the lower seed. USD's Torero Stadium, used for the Wave's 2022 season, seats only about 5,000. That capacity may be too small for a national CBS broadcast.
A club spokesperson said they would provide updates via email on Monday. The NWSL listed the quarterfinal matchups on its website. The league confirmed that the semifinals will occur on Nov. 14 and 15. Each broadcast partner will carry one contest. The NWSL final is set for Nov. 21 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on CBS.
