One of the league’s other California squads, the Wave took a hefty step back after a solid 2023 season. Despite winning the 2024 Challenge Cup, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The new coach, Jonas Eidevall, hopes to turn things around and make San Diego a contending team.

Before the match begins, both teams will take the field for the national anthem wearing "L.A. Strong" T-shirts provided by Angel City as a sign of unity spanning both organizations to show support of fire relief efforts and the families affected by the devastation.