Largest NWSL Season Opening Crowd Sees San Diego Fall to Kansas City 2-1

Things looked sunny at Snapdragon Stadium when Sofia Jakobsson scored for the San Diego Wave in the 17th minute Saturday night against the Kansas City Current.

But Kansas City goals in the 44th and 71st minutes (the last on a penalty kick) produced only gloom as rain fell in the last 15 minutes of San Diego’s home opener.

Before an announced crowd of 32,066 — the largest season-opening audience in National Women’s Soccer League history — the Wave dominated time of possession in a match that lasted 11 minutes longer than the regulation 90 minutes.

That made just for more witnesses to Current goals by Izzy Rodriguez and Lo’eau LaBonta.

Kansas City — now coached by Vlatko Andonovski, the former U.S. national team coach — saw its record improve to 2-0.

Defender Hanna Lundkvist earned her first NWSL regular season start. Defender Kaitlyn Torpey earned her first NWSL appearance when she was substituted in the 70th minute.

After the match, Wave head coach Casey Stoney said she was largely pleased with the play, but felt the team lost some of its confidence in the last third of the match.

The Wave remain at home to take on Reign FC at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 29 at Snapdragon Stadium. The match will be broadcast on Prime Sports.