SAN DIEGO — If you build it, they will come. And they will wear pink.
San Diego Wave FC made a spectacular debut at their new permanent home, Snapdragon Stadium, last night. A sellout crowd of over 32,000 fans filled the venue, setting a new NWSL single-game attendance record.
The atmosphere was electric from the pre-game tailgate to the final whistle. And the team delivered on the field, defeating rival Angel City FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from—who else—Jaedyn Shaw.
Forward Alex Morgan, a veteran of World Cups and Olympics, said the atmosphere rivaled anything she had experienced. Seeing that much support for women's soccer in San Diego in just the team's first year, she said, brought tears to her eyes.
The record-breaking night serves as a powerful statement about the viability and popularity of women's sports in Southern California. The Wave aren't just a team; they are a movement.