Former San Diego Wave forward Makenzy Robbe marked her return to Snapdragon Stadium with a decisive performance, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the Houston Dash against the Wave on March 14, 2026. Robbe’s goal came in first-half stoppage time, turning the tide of a match that San Diego had largely controlled until that moment.
Throughout the first half, the Wave demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, creating numerous chances and dominating possession. However, it was a well-timed pass from Dash midfielder Maggie Graham in the 52nd minute that found Robbe sprinting past the Wave’s defense. With pressure from Kennedy Wesley, Robbe managed to shoot the ball just before going down, slipping it past Wave goalkeeper DiDi Haracic for the game’s opening goal.
In a moment of celebration, Robbe pointed to fans in the stands, where supporters had gathered to cheer her on, and threw up a heart gesture, reflecting her fond memories from her three seasons with the Wave. As her teammates congratulated her on the field, the energy shifted, leaving the Wave to regroup as they headed into halftime.
Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell played a pivotal role in maintaining Houston’s lead, making a remarkable nine saves throughout the match. “Tonight, the goalkeeper of Houston had the performance of the match for me, and that means a lot,” said Wave captain Kenza Dali.
The Wave continued to press for an equalizer in the second half, showcasing their latest Brazilian trio: Dudinha, Ludmila, and Gabi Portilho. Their presence added a dynamic edge to San Diego’s attack, but the finishing touch eluded them. Coach Jonas Eidevall made strategic adjustments, instructing Dudinha and Portilho to switch sides around the 64th minute, which led to a flurry of opportunities.
Dudinha made a strong run down the right flank, sending a pass into the box that went unclaimed. Shortly after, Ludmila received the ball, evaded her defender, and aimed for the goal, but her shot soared over the crossbar. In the 75th minute, Ludmila again found Dudinha, who crossed the ball back to her. This attempt was thwarted by Campbell, who showcased her skills by saving consecutive shots from midfielders Lia Godfrey and Gia Corley just two minutes later.
Despite holding 71% of the possession and registering nine shots on goal to Houston’s two, the Wave could not convert their dominance into goals. Even late substitutions could not spark the necessary breakthrough, as Godfrey and Melanie Barcenas continued to press, but Campbell turned away each attempt.
As the final whistle blew, the Dash celebrated their hard-fought victory while the Wave reflected on missed opportunities. “I think there are a lot of good moments, and I think it’s important that we remember and hone in on those good moments,” Wesley stated. “We know that there are some areas to improve as well. We’re just looking at the next game in front of us against Utah, and how we can improve in the areas we need to.”
The Wave will next face the Utah Royals on March 22, 2026, at 16:00, seeking to balance their season record as they regroup from this narrow defeat.
