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Alex Morgan leads San Diego past Angel City in California rematch

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Forward Alex Morgan #13 of the San Diego Wave FC is congratulated by teammate Jodie Taylor #9 after scoring her first goal against the Angel City FC during their NWSL Challenge Cup game at Torero Stadium on April 2, 2022 in San Diego, California. The Wave won the match 4-2, their first franchise win in team history. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Alex Morgan opened her account with San Diego, netting a brace to help the Wave clinch a 4-2 win over Angel City FC on Saturday.

The U.S. women’s national team forward first got on the board in the final minutes of the opening half, pouncing on a failed Angel City clearance and firing a low shot past ACFC keeper Didi Haračić to put her side up 2-1 heading into the break.

Morgan’s finish broke a 1-1 deadlock after Jodie Taylor’s goal in the 19th minute and a Wave own goal in the 38th.

Angel City equalized in the 59th minute when Christen Press headed down a long ball in the box and volleyed it into the top corner of the net.

Morgan responded in the 72nd minute, exploiting breakdowns on the Angel City back line and one-timing a lofted cross for the go-ahead goal.

Ten minutes late, Amirah Ali beat a string of Angel City defenders before slotting a shot past Haračić for her first professional goal. The 4-2 win was San Diego’s first since joining the NWSL as an expansion club this season.

Saturday’s victory moves San Diego to third place in the NWSL Challenge Cup’s West Division, while Angel City falls to fourth.