Match Recap: San Diego Wave FC fall 1-0 to the Houston Dash at Season Opener

The Wave opened their 5th NWSL season tonight against Houston Dash on their home turf. The fans brought their energy, some showing up over three hours before the game started for the pre-match activities.

Starting Lineups

Tonight, Mimi Van Zanten made her professional debut, with dozens of family members in the stands who anticipated both Van Zanten sisters playing tonight. The attack, with Dudinha, Ludmila, and Gabi Portilho, promised explosiveness and opportunity.

Houston's lineup included former Wave player Makenzy Robbe, who departed the San Diego team in January. Jane Campbell, who was drafted to Houston nine years ago, started in goal. With four rookies debuting for the Texas side, nobody knew how this match would shake out.

The Game Begins

The Wave came out quickly, with four shots, three on goal in the first ten minutes. The team built up plays confidently from the back line, out to the fullbacks, and up the width of the midfield to the attacking front three. Rookie Mimi Van Zanten connected effortlessly with Gabi Portilho, despite training together for less than two weeks. 

On a rare offensive opportunity for Houston, Didi Haracic sacrificed herself to save a dangerous shot from a recycled rebound off of the goalpost. New signing Leah Freeman warmed up on the sidelines while Didi received her treatment. 

Kenza Dali helped orchestrate the unraveling of Houston’s midfield, weaving her own paths through the pitch. At the 37th minute, she launched a long ball to Dudinha, who just got the angle wrong on her shot, missing the target by inches.

Towards the end of the first half, Houston Dash strung together more dangerous moments of possession. They made the mistake of building the attack though their left side; Van Zanten cleanly tackled nearly everyone who tried.

With just minutes left, former Wave player Makenzy Robbe caught Didi flatfooted, and snuck the ball in through the far side. Despite the Wave’s solid performance in the first half, Houston made the most of their opportunities, and came out in the lead. 

The Second Half

In the first forty-five minutes, we saw Mimi Van Zanten stretching her hamstring after making multiple clean and aggressive tackles. At the start of the second, Kiki Pickett entered the field in her place. Kiki Van Zanten remained on the bench for Houston, with the opportunity to see the sisters playing together one.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Lia Godfrey and Kimmi Ascanio came on for Gabi Portilho and Laurina Fazer. Godfrey, whose preseason performance wowed spectators who made the trip to Coachella, came on just before a corner kick ready to score, standing right in front of Campbell while waiting for the cross.

More than halfway through the second half, San Diego Wave FC remained unconvincing in front of goal. Dudinha and Ludmila paved great paths up the pitch, but once in front of Jane Campbell, the opportunity was lost.

Dudinha subbed off and Melanie Barcenas came on. Ludmila shifted to the left wing, and Lia Godfrey to the right. Immediately, Mel B changed the pace of the game. Suddenly Houston had to defend, with about five saves in five minutes.

Houston made substitutions, including Kiki Van Zanten, interrupting the Wave's newfound momentum. The Wave quickly pressured Houston once more, with chances created in front of the goal yet still not converted.

Tatum Wynalda made her debut at the 86th minute, substituting for left back Perle Morroni. Head Coach Jonas Eidevall left only three defenders on the field, giving the team plenty of options to finally sink the ball into the net.

The fourth official held up the sign at the 90th minute. Six more minutes for the Wave to find their equalizer. Wynalda skated across the field on the left side, feeding a pass to Gia Corley. A Houston defender opted for a corner, instead of seeing how that played out.

Despite the Wave having 70% of the possession, they never found a goal. The game ended 0-1, much to the disappointment of the fans. Yet the Wave showed a lot of promise, creating a lot of opportunities, hoarding possession, and building calm and cohesive runs. The season is long. The Wave have plenty of opportunities to fill the missing pieces this year.