San Diego Wave Fall 3-0 to Houston Dash on Alex Morgan’s Jersey Retirement Night

Houston Dash Spoils Historic Night for San Diego Wave with a 3-0 Win in Alex Morgan’s Jersey Retirement

San Diego, September 7, 2025 — The celebration prepared at Snapdragon Stadium to honor Alex Morgan ended with a bitter taste for the home fans. San Diego Wave FC fell 3-0 to Houston Dash in the match where Morgan’s iconic jersey was officially retired, creating a striking contrast between the emotional ceremony and the tough reality on the pitch.

A Historic Ceremony at Snapdragon

Before kickoff, San Diego lived an emotional moment as Alex Morgan — World Cup champion and trailblazer in women’s soccer — was honored for her legendary career. The club officially retired her jersey number as a symbol of her impact, and the crowd erupted in ovations for a player who changed the sport and was instrumental in founding and elevating the Wave.

A Rough Start for the Wave

The game quickly tilted toward the visitors. Houston Dash opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Clarissa Larisey, who finished a pass from Kiki van Zanten to make it 0-1. Just before halftime, Yazmeen Ryan doubled the lead with a precise strike from inside the box, leaving Sheridan helpless. At 0-2, the Snapdragon crowd realized that the night of celebration was turning into a sporting nightmare.

The Decisive Blow

In the second half, Houston maintained control and sealed the win in the 77th minute when Messiah Bright finished a cross from Maggie Graham to put the game out of reach. San Diego pushed forward with attempts from Armstrong, Cascarino, and Carusa, but goalkeeper Jane Campbell and the Dash defense kept the clean sheet intact.

A Night of Mixed Emotions

The 3-0 final score left San Diego Wave with frustration on the field during a night meant to celebrate one of women’s soccer’s greatest icons. While the result was disappointing, the evening will be remembered for the historic tribute to Alex Morgan, whose legacy extends far beyond the scoreboard.