Three thoughts on the Wave, who’ll face the Chicago Red Stars in a road match Saturday at 5 p.m.The Wave can confirm that soccer is less fun without Alex Morgan, the 2022 NWSL scoring champion who led them to last year’s postseason and stands second in FIFA’s world rankings.
But keep this in mind: no Wave opponent parted with a striker who’s as savvy as Morgan. Headed to her fourth Cup, she reads the game better than most coaches can. She puts away scoring chances at a high rate. And by drawing multiple defenders or making room-service passes or both, she creates opportunities for others.
Forwards Makenzy Doniak and Sofia Jakobbson sit third with two goals apiece. Five others have scored once: defender Kristen McNabb, midfielder Sierre Enge, forward Amirah Ali, defender Madison Pogarch and midfielder Belle Briede. The defense was predictably uneven in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to Angel City in the Challenge Cup. Not only did the Wave lack Sheridan and Girma, the versatile McNabb was sidelined by the injury that sent her from last Saturday’s game.Bigger cities provide an edge to many professional sports team by increasing larger revenues via attendance and media rights views. Chicago, for example.