San Diego Wave FC finished second in the NWSL Shield race after Bay FC's win on November 1, 2026, and will host the Utah Royals in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.
The result at PayPal Park in San Jose confirmed the Wave's seeding. In that match, San Diego defender Amelia Donna van Zanten scored a first-half goal against Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz.
As the second seed, San Diego will play its quarterfinal match at home against Utah.
