Head Coach Casey Stoney Departs San Diego Wave FC Amid Winless Streak

San Diego Wave FC announced on Monday that Casey Stoney will no longer serve as the head coach of the team. This decision comes after a disappointing seven-game winless streak for the NWSL club.

Stoney, who was the only head coach in the club's history, had a successful tenure at San Diego Wave FC. In 2022, she led the team to the playoffs, becoming the first NWSL expansion franchise to achieve this feat. Stoney was also honored with the NWSL Coach of the Year award that same year.

Last season, the Wave dominated the league during the regular season and clinched the NWSL Shield with the best record. However, they fell short in the semifinals, missing out on the opportunity to compete in the final held in their home stadium.

San Diego Wave FC had recently extended Stoney's contract in January, which would have kept her as head coach until the 2027 season, with a mutual option for 2028. This unexpected parting of ways between the club and Stoney has left many surprised.

The team's recent performance has been underwhelming, currently sitting in ninth place in the 14-team NWSL. With the halfway mark of the season approaching, they are just one point away from the playoff line. The Wave have also struggled to secure a victory in their last seven matches, with their last win coming on May 8 against the Utah Royals FC.

Despite their recent struggles, the team managed to secure victory in the NWSL Challenge Cup earlier this year by defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in March. However, their subsequent results have not lived up to expectations, culminating in a scoreless draw against the Houston Dash after a grueling three-game road trip within a week.

The demanding fixture congestion, combined with extensive travel and the heat wave affecting millions across the United States, drew criticism from Stoney. Following the match against Houston Dash, Stoney expressed her concerns about player welfare and the scheduling challenges faced by the team.

The responsibility of finding a new head coach now falls on Camille Ashton, who recently joined as the Wave's general manager and sporting director. Ashton, along with Wave President Jill Ellis, will be tasked with selecting a suitable replacement for Stoney.

President Ellis expressed gratitude for Stoney's contributions to the club and acknowledged the significant milestones achieved under her leadership. However, given the ambitious goals of the club and its current season position, a change was deemed necessary at this time.

In the interim, former assistant coach Paul Buckle will step in as the interim coach until a new head coach is appointed. The Wave will hope to secure a turnaround in their fortunes as they navigate the upcoming matches with new leadership.