By OkayGoal
The San Diego Wave became the second team to clinch their spot in the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League playoffs with their 2-1 road victory over the Orlando Pride Friday night. This is the fourth time in the team’s five seasons of existence that they have qualified for the playoffs.
Lia Godfrey opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Trinity Byars held up play and set her up inside the box. The goal was Godfrey’s sixth of the season (second most among rookies in the NWSL this season), while Byars recorded her 13th goal contribution of the year (the second-most in a single season in Wave FC history behind Alex Morgan’s 17 in 2022).
Lia Godfrey fires San Diego in front and her stellar rookie campaign continues
pic.twitter.com/BVBPaT1kFT
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 3, 2026
Gia Corley doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, tapping in a rebound from close range for goals in back-to-back games and her third this season, all in her last four appearances.
The Pride reduced the deficit shortly after halftime when Barbra Banda was fouled inside the box and awarded a penalty kick. Banda stepped up to the spot and calmly buried her attempt into the lower right corner to net her team-leading 17th goal of the season, extending her own club record for goals scored in a single campaign.
San Diego outlasts the Pride and books its playoff ticket
Orlando vs. San Diego highlights presented by @Nationwide pic.twitter.com/FAyJvk0vxa— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) October 3, 2026
The win for San Diego snapped a five-match winless streak against Orlando Pride in league action dating to Aug. 25, 2023. Only once in the seven previous meetings has San Diego beaten the Pride.
Despite the loss, Orlando remains barely in contention for the playoffs thanks to Seattle Reign losing to the North Carolina Courage the same night.