On January 7th, 2025 the San Diego Wave FC team announced their new hire for their head coach position. The Wave hired Jonas Eidevall, the former Arsenal Women’s head coach. Eidevall worked for Arsenal for three years before resigning in 2024. Eidevall will be the second head coach that the Wave have had in their club history.
The San Diego Wave FC is a part of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). The NWSL is the leading professional women’s soccer league in the United States of America. This would be Eidevall’s first venture into the NWSL after having been with Arsenal Women’s for three years.
“...eager to contribute to building a winning legacy here.”
“I am honored and proud to be named the head coach of San Diego Wave FC,”
(Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“This is a club with a clear vision for success, both on and off the field, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this talented team by the Leichtman-Levine Family and Camille Ashton. San Diego is a city with passionate fans and a vibrant fútbol culture, and I’m eager to contribute to building a winning legacy here. Together with the players, staff, and supporters, I look forward to achieving great things and making unforgettable memories for this club.”
(Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
“...represent the values of San Diego.”
As part of the press release, the new owners of the San Diego Wave FC had this to say about Eidevall.
“Jonas’s arrival marks the beginning of a new era for San Diego Wave FC,” said Club Owner Lauren Leichtman.
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
“His leadership, vision, and track record of success make him an excellent fit for this role to guide our club forward. We are excited for this next chapter and are confident Jonas will build a culture within the team that not only competes for championships but also inspires our fans and represents the values of San Diego.”
Eidevall won the FA Women’s League Cup twice while coaching Arsenal Women. These were back to back wins for the 2022-2023 season and the 2023-2024 season. The Wave have won the NWSL Shield in 2023 and won the NWSL Challenge Cup in 2024. Unfortunately, the Wave do not have an NWSL Championship yet.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 2: Marta #10 of Orlando Pride talking with tv reporter during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“...ideal head coach”
The Wave are a young team, only having existed in the league for three years. The Wave had a rough ride in the NWSL 2024 season as they fired their former head coach, Casey Stoney.
HARRISON, NJ - MARCH 15: San Diego Wave head coach Casey Stoney during NWSL Challenge Cup between San Diego Wave FC and NJ NY Gotham City FC at Red Bull Arena on March 15, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Stoney was on vacation when she was released from her position, shocking fans of the team and the league. After Stoney, the Wave struggled through the rest of their season with a set of interim head coaches in Paul Buckle and Landon Donovan.
“After an extensive global search, Jonas emerged as the ideal head coach for San Diego Wave,” said General Manager and Sporting Director Camille Ashton.
“His experience, tactical expertise, and ability to develop players stood out throughout the process. Jonas has a proven track record of building teams that are competitive, cohesive, and dynamic. We are confident he will help us reach new heights and continue to drive our success on the pitch.”
“The 2025 campaign begins Friday, March 7th…the regular season kicks off on Friday, March 14”
The NWSL recently has released their footprint for the 2025 season. Through a press release on the NWSL website, they have worked in the new rules per the updated collective bargaining agreement.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 2: Orlando Pride players raise the trophy during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“featuring a 190-match schedule, inclusive of an eight-team playoff, and a revised competition format for the summer window. Additionally, the league has announced the competition calendar and other updates for the 2025 season. Per CBA rules clubs may hold preseason camps beginning as early as January 15 but no later than February 5 prior to the start of league competition.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 2: Leicy Santos #10 of Washington Spirit with the ball holds off Barbra Banda #22 of Orlando Pride during the NWSL Championship game between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
“The 2025 campaign begins Friday, March 7, with the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Prime Video. Reformatted in 2024 as a single-match competition to open each season, the NWSL Challenge Cup features a meeting between the previous campaign’s winner of the NWSL Shield and the reigning NWSL Champion.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Morgan Gautrat #16 and Carson Pickett #19 of the Orlando Pride celebrate after the Pride defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 to win the NWSL 2024 Championship Game at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
“Due to the Orlando Pride claiming both the regular season and playoff titles in 2024, the 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup will serve as a rematch of the 2024 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel, between the Pride and the Washington Spirit.”
“The regular season kicks off on Friday, March 14. Comprised of a balanced 26-match schedule, the campaign will be played over 25 weeks and has been formatted to avoid staging NWSL matches during FIFA windows to allow the league’s top players to compete for both club and country. The league will pause play for a CBA-mandated break from June 23-29 and during the month of July while confederation competitions (UEFA Women’s EURO, Copa America Femenina, etc.) are staged.”
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: A detailed view of a NWSL soccer ball before the NWSL 2024 Championship Game between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kyle Rivas/Getty Images)
“During this break from the regular season, NWSL clubs will have flexibility to compete in matches against other professional women’s teams, including international opponents, ensuring continued competition for all NWSL players. More details will be released by each NWSL club at a later date. The regular season concludes the weekend of October 31-November 2.”
One of many changes that has hit the NWSL for the coming season. Looking forward to March, what are you looking forward to in the NWSL? Has one of your favorite players moved teams? Coaching changes? It will surely be an interesting 2025 NWSL season.
