CARY, North Carolina — With three center backs featuring in Sunday’s 1-0 win over the North Carolina Courage, San Diego Wave FC implemented a big formation change for the first time and players postgame credited it with helping them get the victory.
Kristen McNabb was drafted in late to take the third center back slot, alongside Naomi Girma and Kaleigh Riehl, with Abby Dahlkemper getting injured in training before the game, according to head coach Casey Stoney.
But the players rolled with the changes.
“Switching to the formation that we did, I give huge props to our team for being able to do it in two days, just really running with it, trusting Casey and the coaches on their thoughts and just kind of putting our heads down and grinding,” said defender Tegan McGrady after the game.