The Dash snapped Current’s 17-game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win
Ryan Garris scored in the 69th minute as the Houston Dash beat Kansas City 1-0 in the National Women’s Soccer League on Saturday, snapping a 17-game unbeaten streak.
Elsewhere in the NFL, the San Diego Wave clinched a playoff spot with a 6-1 win over the Chicago Stars; Orlando Pride won 3-2 at Washington Spirit Stadium.
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All three of Kansas City’s losses this season have come on the road.
“This was one of those games, and sometimes things like this happen,” said current coach Vlatko Andonovski. “I’m glad it’s happening now and not two games from now.”
Reigning NWSL Player of the Year and top scorer Temua Chawenga exited the match in the 29th minute due to a leg injury.
Garris scored for Houston under pressure. Yasmine Rayan headed the ball across the face of goal and the 26-year-old winger scored from seven yards out with a first-time shot.
Garris’ goal was one of only three shots Houston attempted in the second half. The Current (20-3-2) beat the Dash 20-6.
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The win keeps faint playoff hopes alive for the 10th-place Dash (8-11-6), with one game remaining in the regular season.
Wave clinches playoff spot with defeat of Stars
Dudinha scored twice and the Wave earned a playoff spot with a 6-1 win over visiting Chicago.
It was the biggest win of the season for the Wave (10-8-7) and the first time they had scored six goals in team history.
Last Place The Stars (2-12-11) have won just once in their last 21 games.
Al Mouj took a 3-0 lead in the first 18 minutes. Delphine Cascarino scored her fifth goal of the season to open the scoring in the seventh goal. Sam Stapp’s own goal made it 2-0 in the 15th minute, and Dudinha scored her first goal in the 18th minute.
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Christine McNab headed a free kick at the back post crossed by Kenza Daly to make it 4-0 before half-time.
Dudinha scored her second goal to make the score 5-0 in the 58th minute.
Bea Franklin scored for the Stars in the 71st minute before Daly scored in the 83rd minute to seal the win.
Marta turns to win with pride
Marta scored a penalty kick in the 72nd minute as the Pride beat the Spirit 3-2.
The third-place finisher (11-8-6) is undefeated in its last four visits to Audi Field dating back to 2022.
The loss had no impact on the standings of the Spirit (12-5-8), which has already locked up the second seed with one game remaining in the regular season.
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The Spirit took a 1-0 lead when Kerry Abello scored an own goal in the 35th minute.
Abello quickly made amends and tied the score at 1-1 in the 38th minute with a left-footed shot from inside the penalty area.
Sofia Cantori brought the Spirit back to the front in 42nd place. The Italian international player shot the ball into the goal from a narrow angle at the near post with her heel.
At halftime, Pride coach Seb Haynes brought on Marta for Carson Pickett.
Orlando equalized immediately after the end of the first half when Narumi Miura scored an own goal in the 46th minute with a shot from Marta, who was on the field for only 52 seconds.
Keisha Sela fouled Ally Watt inside the penalty area, and Marta stepped up to convert the penalty kick.
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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer