Sanchez comes through in draw

On Maria Sanchez bobblehead night, it was fitting that she would score. The Houston Dash forward had the breakthrough just before the break.

But Houston’s firsthalf lead couldn’t hold up. Angel City FC came back for a 1-1 draw on Sunday night at PNC Stadium.

Late in the second half the Dash had chance after chance to secure a goal, but they couldn’t convert.

“We should have won,” Dash interim head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said. “We created more chances than the opposition. We want to be winners. We were disappointed not getting the three points.”

Houston out-shot the visitors from Los Angeles 18-8, and held a 9-1 edge on corners.

A Dash victory would have propelled them atop the NWSL standings. Houston has only three games remaining. The Dash (8-5-6) came into Sunday’s game tied for third-most points in league play with 29.

Houston, which began its franchise in 2014, continues to push for its first playoff berth in club history.

Sanchez’s goal came in the 43rd minute when she found the top-left corner of the net, just out of reach of goalkeeper Didi Haracic.

The goal was assisted by Natalie Jacobs following a corner.

“It was my opportunity to score and I was glad to do it,” Sanchez said. “I’m excited to get on the board again.”

Simone Charley scored the equalizer from close range in the 49th minute. Charley forced the error from Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who bobbled the ball. Charley kept the ball alive and had an open-look for the easy finish.

“Regardless of that one play, we had a good defensive game,” midfielder Emily Ogle said. “We win as a team. We lose as a team. We need to keep pushing and play these last three games like it’s the final.”

Before Sanchez’s second goal of the season, Houston had several chances in the first half.

Trying to take advantage of a Haricic giveaway, midfielder Sophie Schmidt couldn’t get a first-time shot on an open goal in the 30th minute. Four minutes later, Nichelle Prince couldn’t keep a shot down. A pass from Marisa Viggiano split the defense and opened the field for Prince, but her attempt sailed over the crossbar.

Campbell made her 100th NWSL regular-season appearance and start.