​As she embarked on her professional soccer career, Tatum Wynalda kept an open mind.The recent Pepperdine University graduate and her agent looked at potential opportunities across the world, from Italy and France to Greece and Mexico.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I was open to overseas,” Wynalda said.But it makes sense that the daughter of U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Eric Wynalda, who scored the first goal in the history of Major League Soccer, really wanted to begin her career at home.“My dream has always been to play in the NWSL,” Wynalda said. “It’s the best league in the world to me.”San Diego Wave midfielder Tatum Wynalda tackles Angel City FC forward Sveindís Jonsdottir during the second half of a NWSL match at Snapdragon Stadium on July 11. Angel City won, 2-0.She was sitting in a coffee shop with her aunt when the call came. The San Diego Wave had offered her a trial.“You’re leaving in four days,” her agent said.Ten appearances into her rookie season, Wynalda is beginning to make a name for herself in the city where both her parents starred in college for San Diego State.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBefore playing in three World Cups, Eric Wynalda led the Aztecs to the NCAA national championship game in 1987. Amy Ward played for SDSU after leading Agoura High to four straight CIF-Southern Section titles.“It feels like a storybook,” Tatum Wynalda said.After two short-term contracts to replace injured players, Wynalda signed a contract through the rest of the season earlier this month.“Tatum has been a great addition to our team and has contributed in meaningful ways to the success this season,” said San Diego general manager Camille Ashton in the news release. “She has stepped up and proven she can compete at a high level in this league. We’re excited to continue supporting her development this season.”AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAn All-West Coast Conference selection in all four seasons at Pepperdine, Wynalda had 23 goals and 17 assists in 79 career matches for the Waves. She had a career-high 10 assists as a senior.Westlake High senior Tatum Wynalda, showing off some of her skills at Evenstar Park in Thousand Oaks, has lived up to her family bloodlines on the soccer field.The Star’s 2022 Girls Soccer Player of the Year had 48 goals and 20 assists in just 32 matches at Westlake High.“Coming into this environment, it’s starting like a freshman all over again,” Wynalda said. “You’re at the bottom of the totem pole and you have to prove yourself all over again.”Wynalda celebrated the contract extension in the next night’s match, a 2-0 home win over defending NWSL champion Gotham FC at Snapdragon Stadium on July 4.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWynalda’s pressure created a turnover that San Diego turned into the game-clinching goal in the 93rd minute.“That was my first Tatum moment,” Wynalda said. “That’s a moment I was proud of. It showcases to