Mimi Van Zanten nets first career goal to lift San Diego past Angel City

May 9, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Diego Wave defender Mimi Van Zanten (16) dribbles the ball against Angel City FC at BMO Stadium. Mimi Van Zanten’s header goal in the 81st minute was the game-winner at BMO Stadium on Saturday night. The rookie’s first professional goal gave San Diego Wave FC a 2-1 win against Southern California rival Angel City FC.

The 21-year-old Jamaican defender has started all nine games for the Wave this season, and continues her ascension. Dudinha’s two-goal contributions helped snap San Diego’s two-game losing streak on the road. Following their win against LA, they now have a 6-3-0 record and have the second-most points in the NWSL (18), behind the Portland Thorns.

Portland snapped San Diego’s five-game win streak last week in a top-of-the-table clash. Following that loss, the Wave returned to Snapdragon Stadium on May 2 to host Bay FC. San Jose’s early goal from Racheal Kundananji decided the outcome, handing them back-to-back losses.

In that match, head coach Jonas Eidevall received a red card for expressing his frustration with the referee's decision that interrupted a fast break opportunity. Becki Tweed, the Wave's assistant coach, took over for the rest of that match and served as the interim coach while Eidevall served his suspension. Tweed made a few changes to the starting lineup against Los Angeles, swapping midfielders Gia Corley and Kimmi Ascanio for Lia Godfrey and Laurina Fazer.