Casey Stoney signs San Diego Wave contract extension | OneFootball

Casey Stoney signed a new contract at San Diego Wave FC through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028. The multi-year deal signifies Wave FC’s commitment to Stoney and her progress with the club.

Within the few years that Stoney has been a part of the San Diego coaching staff, it is evident what talent she brings on and off the field.

“We were confident that her exceptional leadership qualities, coupled with her extensive experience as both a player and coach at the highest levels, would make her the perfect fit,” said club president Jill Ellis. “She has exceeded our high expectations.”

Ellis’ comments are more of an understatement. Stoney holds the record for the most wins in the NWSL for a coach with the timeframe at the helm, 21-10-13. And the accolades and recognition do not stop there.

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Stoney’s impact so far

Within the first two seasons at the club, Stoney achieved what some coaches dream about. Wave FC reached the semifinals of the NWSL Playoffs during the club’s inaugural campaign. After getting their feet wet, Wave FC returned with a vengeance. The club made a statement in the 2023 season after winning the NWSL Shield and advancing again to the playoff semifinals.

Beyond the playing field, Wave FC doubled their average attendance within a season. They also moved to a new home, Snapdragon Stadium.

“What we have been able to achieve as a club over the first two seasons is a testament to the investment of our ownership and the hard work of everyone involved,” said Stoney. “This is just the beginning, and I am fully committed to building and developing this team. I am proud to be a part of this club, in this city, and I will continue to give everything I have to bring even more success to this incredible community.”

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Community pans out in their day of service where 80+ players and staff volunteer for different nonprofits throughout the season. One can see that at different matches throughout the season, there will be at the stadium. Community is at the heart of every professional sports team and here at Wave FC, that can be evident to not only fans around the country but is a wonderful testament to how a club can give back.

Stoney’s vision for Wave FC

Stoney recently spoke with 97.3 The Fan, a San Diego–based sports radio show, about what is to come in the next season and the success that she has had so far.

One word mentioned throughout the interview was “improving.” Stoney touched on Wave FC’s goals for the season ahead. She emphasized the importance of their winning form, finishing strong, and filling out the ideal roster. This features two new talents selected in the NWSL Draft.

“Toddler in the league and want to build it out how we should be” was how she stated the middle of their second season games went during international play. There were players out due to this timeframe, which led to shifting players and adjusting different styles. This will happen every year, so Stoney’s key takeaway was “to make those changes quicker.”

Concluding the interview, questions about the offseason arose. “We are an elite team, and every decision is made for the team.” It is Stoney and the coaching staff’s mission to make sure that they are prepared to grow this club to the best that it can be and that the squad is prepped and ready to go for the upcoming season. This includes the Coachella Valley International featuring Bay FC, Portland Thorns, and Angel City FC in the last week of February.

The journey continues

Within a short time, it is very evident to see why Stoney received the multi-year extension. Her knowledge and charisma on and off the pitch set the bar high for Wave FC early on. Now, the club’s back office has a strong level of confidence in their head coach and the road ahead.

With the 2024 NWSL season quickly approaching, all eyes will be on how Stoney and San Diego fare in their third season. Perhaps the club has what it takes to become one of the most sought-after teams in North America.

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