Wave, Angel City play to scoreless draw

Field Level Media|published: Fri 24th May, 24:37 2024

May 23, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Angel City FC defender Jasmyne Spencer (3) plays the ball defended by San Diego Wave FC midfielder Kristen McNabb (14) and forward Maria Sanchez (77) in the first half at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

After five all-time matchups over three seasons in NWSL play, Southern California rivals Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave continue to play to a standstill after a 0-0 tie Thursday at Los Angeles.

Angel City FC goalkeeper Didi Haracic made five saves, while the Wave's Kailen Sheridan also made five saves.

Haracic survived two late scoring chances by the Wave as Emily Van Egmond hit the crossbar on a header in the ninth minute of second-half stoppage time then saved an Alex Morgan header off the rebound.

The duel was so tight and competitive that both head coaches earned yellow cards. Angel City's Becki Tweed received one in the 57th minute and San Diego's Casey Stoney got one in the 84th minute.

The teams are now 2-2-1 against each other in NWSL play, while also side-by-side in the middle of the league standings with San Diego at 3-4-3 (12 points) and Angel City at 3-5-2 (11 points).

Scoring chances were rare outside of a few early chances, even as the Wave saw Morgan return from an ankle sprain when she entered as a substitute in the 62nd minute. San Diego's Jaedyn Shaw also returned from an ankle injury and was in the starting lineup.

Angel City is just 1-3-1 at home this season and earned the point while coming off consecutive defeats. San Diego is 0-4-2 on the road and is 0-1-2 over its past three games overall.

Former Angel City midfielder Savannah McCaskill was received well in her return with the Wave. McCaskill started and came off for a substitute in the 73rd minute.

--Field Level Media