The NWSL kicks off another El Clásico on Saturday, as No. 8 Angel City welcomes the No. 4 San Diego Wave in a Southern California showdown.
Both teams enter the weekend looking to snap losing streaks. San Diego (5-3-0) is coming off consecutive defeats, while LA (3-3-0) dropped its last match 1-0 to Utah Royals.
Angel City will be without midfielder Maiara Niehues after she was shown a red card in last Saturday's 1-0 loss to Utah. She later received an additional one-match suspension for Major Game Misconduct.
San Diego Wave head coach Jonas Eidevall is also sidelined after becoming the first coach to get sent off this season in last weekend's 1-0 loss to Bay FC. ACFC assistant coach Becki Tweed will take on lead managing duties on Saturday.
"These are things that you have to go through early in the season to experience, to come out the other side," Tweed said.
The San Diego Wave made its own waves when it announced the signing of USWNT forward Catarina Macario in March. The hometown product joins midfielder Lia Godfrey, who's tied for third in the NWSL with four goals scored.
San Diego Wave goalie DiDi Haračić returns to face her former team. The Bosnian keeper spent three seasons with the LA squad before moving south.
Angel City holds a 3-2-3 all-time record against San Diego across eight meetings.
Where to Watch NWSL Rivals San Diego Wave vs. Angel City
Angel City hosts the San Diego Wave on Saturday at 8:45 PM ET, live on ION.
