HARRISON, New Jersey — Alex Morgan scored in the 88th minute and the San Diego Wave won the Challenge Cup with a 1-0 victory over Gotham FC on Friday night in the National Women's Soccer League.
Morgan started the second half as a substitute. He broke the deadlock with a header off a corner kick by Savannah McCaskill, who joined the Wave in the offseason from rival Angel City.
“The ball came right at me, so I knew I couldn't mess it up,” Morgan said.
The Challenge Cup match pitted the winner of last season's league championship and the winner of the NWSL Shield. Gotham claimed the title after a 2-1 win over Seattle Reign, and the Wave finished with their best record of the season (11-7-4). The league's regular season begins Saturday.
The Wave had a good chance in the 33rd minute, but Gotham goalkeeper Cassie Miller handled Jaedyn Shaw's shot and the ball went up and away.
After winning the title, Gotham spent the offseason adding high-profile players, including Crystal Dunn of the Portland Thorns, Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett of the Seattle Reign, and Tierna Davidson of the Red Stars. All four are regulars on the United States national team.
Among those attending the party were Douglas Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, and Senator Cory Booker. Attendance was announced at 14,241.
