It’s not often you see a true difference maker that gets everyone excited this far into the season. Especially from overseas.

But the San Diego Wave just got one in San Diego native and Del Norte High alum Kyra Carusa.

The Wave offense has struggled massively since their best players left for the FIFA World Cup following their June 28 match against Angel City FC. They scored just four goals in five games without Alex Morgan at the front.

​​I asked Casey Stoney about the signing and if the four goals in five games added to the need to add a player like Carusa:

“Yeah, I think it's a lack of depth. It's also, you know, we've had injuries to Kelsey Turnbow and she's not been out to feature as much as I would have liked during that period, and we've had injuries elsewhere. So, yeah, we need to add more depth. We need to add more goals to our team. You know, if you don't score goals, you don't win games. So it's definitely something that we've been looking at, hence why we've signed Kyra, and I think she can add that to our team.”

Stoney added that she’ll have to perform to get playing time but that Carusa and Morgan could play up together to create a deadly combo up front.

Carusa says she’s excited to play for her hometown team and will add competitiveness to the team.

“I think that a huge importance for me and this team is to add to the environment and add to competitiveness of the program and add another spark that can, you know, be contagious and help us be the most successful we can be at the end of the season.”

MORE NOTES:

• With Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary heading towards San Diego County, the Wave moved their Saturday night matchup with NJ/NY Gotham FC from 7 p.m. to 5 p.m. SD Loyal’s matchup with New Mexico United will remain at 6:30 p.m. with a national broadcast on ESPN2. As of Friday night, the forecast still looks good for the games with the hurricane-turned-tropical-storm not expected to hit until early Sunday morning.

• Wave forwards Alex Morgan and Carusa, defender Naomi Girma, and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan returned to practice this week for the first time since leaving for the FIFA World Cup on June 29. They may be ready, they may not be ready, for the August 19 match against NJ/NY Gotham FC, but the Wave are still promoting their September 3 home match against the Houston Dash as the Snapdragon Stadium return for the World Cup competitors.

• Wave midfielder Danielle Colaprico has returned to training from her injury. Midfielders Taylor Kornieck and Kristen McNabb are still unavailable for selection, per Casey Stoney.

• I’m hearing that, in addition to the San Diego Sockers, the other arena teams (Gulls, Seals, Strike Force) could move up to the new Oceanside arena while Pechanga Arena gets replaced, whenever that finally is.