Houston revenge spoils Wave’s party with 3-0 victory at Snapdragon

Action on the pitch Sunday night at Snapdragon Stadium Photo courtesy Wave FC The Houston Dash spoiled the party and gained revenge for a defeat that it suffered to Wave FC earlier this season when it earned a shutout at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday night minutes before soccer icon Alex Morgan s jersey was retired by San Diego With the - loss Wave FC now falls to - with six draws and points Houston improved its record to - - and points Houston picked up it s the first goal of the match during the th minute when Dash forward Clarissa Larisey connected with a right-footed shot into the net Then in the thh minute just before stoppage time the Dash scored again when forward Yazmeen Ryan fund the back of the net with a left-footed shot to make the sum - Houston may have led at the half but it was San Diego that dominated statistically Wave FC had possession of the ball for of the first minutes and managed seven shots compared to four for the Dash Wave FC also moved the ball more it had total passes in the initial minutes compared to just for Houston San Diego came out with more fire in the second half but not enough During the th minute Houston forward Messiah Bright scored with a left-footed shot to make the outcome - effectively sealing the preeminence For the full match San Diego maintained ball possession for of the time and attempted shots compared to Houston s nine However three of the Dash s five shots on goal exposed their way into the net while none of San Diego s five did Wave FC previously faced Houston on June with San Diego winning that match - on the road so the Dash s mastery serves as a measure of revenge for that defeat But despite the loss on Sunday San Diego loses no ground in the playoff race It still stands at third place in the NWSL table just behind the Washington Spirit - - points and ahead of the Portland Thorns - - points The Dash now is now tied in points with th place Racing Louisville Houston which came to San Diego during the middle portion of a three-game road trip is now unbeaten in its last six matches registering three wins and three draws San Diego is now - - in its last matches and - - in its last five Because the match preceded a retirement ceremony for Morgan it was televised live on ESPN and specific fans brought signs praising the former striker Thank you for making a difference in women s soccer read one sign My Tio loves you Alex read another I flew miles to see Morgan a third announced Up next Wave FC concludes its two-match home stand by facing NJ NY Gotham FC at pm Friday Sept at Snapdragon Stadium San Diego then has an away contest against the Portland Thorns on Sept before returning home to play the reigning NWSL champion Orlando Pride on Sept The Pride and the Wave have been neck-and-neck in the NWSL standings much of the year with San Diego at the moment two spots ahead at no Notes On Sept Wave FC midfielder Kenza Dali was named one of the NWSL s players of the month for the month of August Dali a French national has started every match for the Wave this year She scored her third goal of the season during San Diego s - accomplishment against Bay FC on Aug