HOUSTON DASH CRASH ALEX MORGAN’S RETIREMENT PARTY WITH A 5-STAR SHOW

By Sam Mbonu

Not in the mood for celebration, that was exactly what the Houston Dash showed at San Diego Waves in a thrilling performance, they spoiled Alex Morgan’s jersey retirement night with a 3-0 dominant win against San Diego Wave FC.

Coming into the match on a five-game winning streak, the Dash wasted no time. In the 17th minute, they broke through with a slick team goal. After working the ball through tight spaces, Clarissa Larisey pounced on a deflection off a San Diego defender and tucked it away to give Houston the early lead.

Goalkeeper Jane Campbell was rock solid as usual, the desire for another clean sheet drove her into pulling off multiple saves to keep the Dash in control. Just before halftime, Yazmeen Ryan sparked a brilliant move, she picked up the ball near midfield, raced forward with a link up with Larisey, and then found herself wide open in the box. Ryan made no mistake, slotting it home to make it 2–0 as the Dash heads into the tunnel with a two goal cushion.

In the second half, Super Falcons of Nigeria star, Michelle Alozie came off the bench in the 67th minute and made her presence felt. Holding up play on the left wing, she passed to Maggie Graham, who set up Messiah Bright for a cool left-footed finish in the 77th minute for Houston’s third of the night to put the game beyond the reach of the home team, San Diego Waves.

With this win, the Houston Dash extend their winning streak to six games, a club record. They will wrap up their road trip with a visit to Utah Royals FC on Sunday, September 14, before heading back home to Shell Energy Stadium to host Chicago Stars FC on Friday, September 19.

Houston now sits 9th in the NWSL standings with 23 points from 19 games, just three points behind Racing Louisville, who hold the final playoff spot with 26 points.