Tom Krasovic: Wave’s time in the spotlight arrives with NWSL playoff opener vs. Utah – San Diego Union-Tribune

Tom Krasovic: Wave’s time in the spotlight arrives with NWSL playoff opener vs. Utah  San Diego Union-Tribune

The Wave’s seven-month performance brought the No. 2 seed and a playoff matchup against the Utah Royals, the No. 7 seed. The San Diego Wave have set themselves up for playoff success. But as it relates to Friday’s playoff match, that’s all they’ve done. The quarterfinals test will reveal if the fifth-year club cashes on the favorable chance it created by finishing second of 16 teams in the National Women’s Soccer League’s 30-game regular season. By amassing more points than every club other than the NJ/NY Gotham FC, which won the NWSL trophy last year, the Wave boosted their odds of seizing the fifth-year club’s second postseason win. The first one came via Alex Morgan’s extra-time goal against Chicago in the team’s expansion season, four years ago, before an announced home crowd of 26,215.

Earning homefield advantage beats having to play at high altitude in Utah. The Wave won there in March, 2-1, but played better in the August rematch in Mission Valley. The Wave won that match 4-2 despite playing without captain Kenza Dali. “Our fans deserved it,” Dali said of bringing the playoffs to San Diego. “They’ve been amazing all season for us. It’s an advantage for us.” The Wave could benefit from having performed well down the stretch, going 8-1-1 in their final 10 matches. But all