Kenza Dali Reflects on Soccer Career and Upcoming Season

Kenza Dali, a midfielder for the San Diego Wave, is currently pondering her future in soccer. She’s preparing for her 17th professional season, and interestingly, her passion for the sport remains as strong as it was when she first started.

“It’s kind of amusing—I’m the fittest player on the team,” Dali shared. “(Wave head coach Jonas Idewall) teaches me a lot. I think of age as simply experience. You can’t replicate that. There are lessons in football that you can’t just learn on the pitch; they come from real moments in life.”

During her debut season in the NWSL in 2025, Dali quickly made her mark as one of the league’s standout midfielders. She logged the most minutes on the team (2,247), scored five goals—tying for team lead—and received numerous accolades, including being named to the NWSL Second Eleven and a finalist for NWSL Midfielder of the Year. Plus, the supporters group, the San Diego Sirens, named her Player of the Year.

“I’m genuinely honored; I mean, I believe I have the best job in the world,” Dali reflected. “Every day, I’m grateful for the chance to train, stay healthy, and do what I love.”

The Wave has shown progress throughout the early stages of the 2025 season, successfully adapting to a new attacking style after a challenging 2024 season, which saw the team lose key players like Naomi Girma, Jadyn Shaw, and Alex Morgan.

With Dali commanding the midfield and Aidewall at the helm, the Wave adopted an aggressive, high-possession style that often caught their opponents off guard.

“Establishing an identity is challenging in football,” Dali pointed out. “It doesn’t happen over one season, or even two or three. It’s a longer process. The key now is for us to get to know each other well. Thankfully, we have time.”

Her teammates often praise Dali’s contributions, not just for her skills but also for her leadership, especially when it comes to mentoring younger players in their transition to professional play.

“Dali offers so much, both on and off the field, which is incredibly impactful,” noted Wave center back Kennedy Wesley. “She serves as a fantastic example for younger players stepping up from college. We are really fortunate to have her around.”

Even with personal achievements and team improvements, Dali described the year 2025 as one of the loneliest times in her career, mainly due to being far from home.

“European players actually discuss this among themselves,” Dali admitted. “It’s tough. There’s a nine-hour time difference, which makes it hard to stay connected with family and friends. You really have to learn how to manage solitude.”

San Diego faced difficulties after the summer international break, managing just one win in ten matches following their return. Dali reflected that this period served as a crucial learning opportunity for the team.

“We talked about how to avoid the slumps we faced at the season’s close,” she recalled. “The NWSL demands a lot, both physically and mentally. Successful teams often bring in key players during the summer break. It’s essential to have a clear strategy.”

Dali’s second NWSL season will present new hurdles, particularly after several key players departed in the offseason, including Kailen Sheridan, Delfin Cascarino, Hannah Lundqvist, and Savannah McCaskill.

“It’s certainly sad because they’re fantastic individuals,” Dali mentioned. “I often tell my teammates that I see them as more than family. We share deep emotions and experiences. But that is, unfortunately, part of the game.”

“Players like Delphine and Kaylene are dear friends, so I will surely keep in touch. Right now, I’m focused on the new members and the returning players, helping them feel at home and to build something special again.”

The Wave’s “French Connection,” featuring Dali and Pearl Moroni, will continue for at least another season, as both are signed through 2026. With Sheridan’s exit leaving a leadership gap, questions emerge about the next captain, but Dali insists her approach won’t change, regardless of whether she dons the armband.

“I aim to lead through my actions on the pitch, how I train, and how hard I work,” Dali stated. “That’s the kind of leader I aspire to be. I don’t want to be overly vocal in the locker room; I prefer to lead by example and hope my teammates can emulate that.”

The Wave will kick off their preseason at the Coachella Valley Invitational in two weeks, gearing up for the 2026 NWSL campaign against the Houston Dash on Saturday, March 14th.