Houston Dash, San Diego Wave preview

The moment has arrived for both the Houston Dash and the San Diego Wave to make a playoff statement. Houston currently has the most wins in the league and are tied for the most points (28) with the Portland Thorns. The winner tonight takes abig step forward.

The Houston Dash are on of the best NWSL road teams in 2022. Only two teams have garnered more points from eight road matches and had a bigger goal differential than the Houston Dash. Tonight they face a San Diego team has that has been down the last couple of matches and is looking to rebound in front of the home crowd.

The Dash have an opportunity to take sole control of first place with a win or a draw for the first time in franchise history. They also have an opportunity to even the score with San Diego. The Wave defeated Houston 1-0 in their first ever league game on Houston's home pitch.

Ebony Salmon enters the match scoring more goals (7) in her last five matches then the San Diego Wave has over the same span. Six of Houston's last eight goals have come in the second half. The Dash have not only strengthen themselves up top with Salmon's addition on June 27th but they added the 2021 NWSL Defender of the Year Caprice Dydasco to the backline as well.

The Wave will be trying to snap a two game losing streak. They also have surrendered penalty kicks in four consecutive matches. Four of the last six goals allowed by San Diego have come in the opening 40 minutes of play. Three of those four have come before the half hour mark. On the other side of the coin, San Diego has just five goals in its last five matches with three coming in the opening 45 minutes.

How tonight turns out will be determined by how well San Diego holds up against Salmon. Nichelle Prince and Maria Sanchez or by how well the Houston backline contains Alex Morgan and Taylor Kornieck who love to pepper the opposition keepers. Between the two they had 13 shots in the Wave's last outing against Orlando.

Kick-off is slated for 9:00pm CT.