Michelle Alozie receives first career red card in Houston Dash loss to Waves

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria defender, Michelle Alozie received her first-ever career red card as her side Houston Dash succumbed to a 1-0 loss to San Diego Waves in a National Women’s Soccer League encounter on Monday.

Alozie moved from being a hero during the last encounter’s 1-1 draw with Kansas City Current to a villain as she was sent off in the 33rd minute, making her team play the larger part of the match with ten players.

She lost the ball in her half before committing a foul on an opponent who was set to be clear on goal which eventually sealed the win for the hosts at the Snapdragon Stadium.

The Super Falcons star had scored two goals with an assist in 14 NWSL games this season and had received a yellow card before Monday’s incident.

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, England forward, Lauren James stamped on Alozie’s back and was sent off but the latter is now receiving similar end of the stick at club level.

Jaedyn Shaw’s 57th-minute goal settled the contest as she rounded up Dash’s goalkeeper.

Houston Dash occupied the tenth position with 20 points after 18 games. The red card meant Alozie wouldn’t be available when her team travel to face Uchenna Kanu’s Racing Louisville on September 16.