First-place San Diego Wave FC will host fifth-place NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Snapdragon Stadium in a National Women's Soccer League regular season match that marks the resumption of play after a month-long international hiatus.
The match, broadcast nationally on ION, features a statistical clash between San Diego's second-ranked offense, which has scored 19 goals, and Gotham's league-leading defense that has conceded only five goals across 11 matches this season.
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San Diego enters the contest leading the NWSL standings with 26 points from 13 matches, holding a narrow one-point lead over the Utah Royals.
Gotham sits four points behind the Wave with 21 points and an active six-match unbeaten league run.
Wave Adjust Without Key Players
The Wave will navigate the remainder of the season without leading scorer Dudinha, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear during an international friendly with Brazil.
Marquee signing Catarina Macario also remains sidelined without a definitive timeline for her training return.
Wave coach Jonas Eidevall said the international break allowed for productive collective preparation as the squad adapts its tactical framework following roster adjustments.
"I thought the time off came at a really good place for us, and now it's been exciting to work with the team here for three weeks, where we have been able to train more together," Eidevall said.
Midfielder Kenza Dali expressed sympathy for Dudinha while emphasizing that the team must maintain its forward momentum regardless of their strong initial half of the league calendar.
