Midfielder Kenza Dali shares her experiences with the San Diego Wave, highlighting challenges and growth in her soccer career.
Midfielder Kenza Dali talks about her life and career with the San Diego Wave. She explains how she faced hard times and found new energy in San Diego.
Dali enjoys swimming in the ocean every Thursday. In July, after a training session, she was caught in a strong current while swimming in the Pacific Ocean. She remembered advice from her teammate Quincy McMahon and swam parallel to the shore, which helped her get to safety.
Last year, Dali was dealing with sadness and was not sure about her future in soccer. While playing for Aston Villa in Birmingham, she felt far from the sport she loved. When the Wave invited her to join, she was unsure but decided to take the chance and start fresh in a new place.
The San Diego Wave is in its fourth season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). After finishing in 10th place last year, the team wanted to do better. In their first season, they made history by reaching the playoffs, but faced problems in the next years.
This season, the Wave started strong and won the NWSL Shield for having the most regular-season wins. But in 2024, they had a tough time, including a seven-game winless streak that led to the firing of head coach Casey Stoney.
After a change in ownership, the Wave hired Cami Ashton as the new general manager. Ashton, a former NWSL player, is working to rebuild the team’s culture and improve their training facilities. The Wave has also brought in former German national team player Anja Mittag to help develop younger players.
This season, the Wave has a strong group of French players, including Dali, Perle Morroni, Delphine Cascarino, and Laurina Fazer. Their teamwork has been effective, with Cascarino leading the league in assists. Together, they have helped the team score many goals.
As the season goes on, the Wave is working to keep their momentum. With a mix of experienced players and young talent, they want to improve and build a strong team for the future. Their next match against the Portland Thorns will be an important test as they show their growth and strength.
