It was a monumental night at Snapdragon Stadium, as the San Diego Wave retired the jersey of club icon and one of the most legendary soccer players of all time, Alex Morgan. While the ceremony itself marked a historic moment in franchise history, one that no result could diminish, the Houston Dash came ready to spoil the celebration.

And with a decisive 3-0 victory, they did just that.

Goals from Clarissa Larisey in the 17th minute, Yazmeen Ryan in the 45th, and Messiah Bright in the 77th powered ninth-place Houston to a blowout win over the San Diego Wave, keeping the Dash’s playoff hopes alive.

For the Wave, it was yet another frustrating chapter in a troubling stretch. San Diego has now managed just one win in its last seven matches. Despite dominating possession, leading in shot attempts, and piling up corner kicks, they once again failed to turn opportunities into goals. San Diego was unable to convert a single one of their 19 shots on the night. Houston, by contrast, made the most of its chances, slicing through San Diego’s defense and getting into the box with alarming ease.

The defensive collapse added a troubling new layer to the Wave’s recent struggles.

“We need to be very disappointed with the way that we defended, both individually and as a collective,” said head coach Jonas Eidevall after the game.

Wave center back Kennedy Wesley echoed the sentiment.

“Our intensity wasn’t where it needed to be,” she admitted. “I don’t think it was at our standard tonight.”

While the lack of defensive sharpness proved costly on this night, the bigger issue remains San Diego’s inability to finish in the attacking third. The team has scored only three goals across its last seven contests, an alarming drought for a talented squad that was on an offensive tear before the long international break in July.

It’s clear, however, that Eidevall and his staff aren’t interested in blaming the long layoff for the team’s struggles. They know that if the Wave hope to make a deep playoff run, the level of play simply has to improve.

“You can either have results or excuses. I don’t believe you can have both,” Eidevall stated bluntly.

Despite yet another disappointing result, the Wave remain firmly in playoff contention. Still, their recent form raises questions about whether they can compete with the league’s elite when it matters most. A team that once seemed poised for a deep postseason run now faces mounting pressure to regain both its defensive intensity and scoring touch.

San Diego will have a quick chance to bounce back, hosting sixth-place Gotham FC at home in just five days on Friday, September 12.