First-Place Waves to Face Connecticut Short-Handed

The first-place Orange County Waves, who have lost their last two A-League games, might be without three starters for tonight’s game against the Connecticut Wolves at Santa Ana Stadium.

Forward Steve Patterson, last year’s leading scorer, has missed the last five games with a strained Achilles tendon and ankle. He is questionable for tonight, as is midfielder Kenny Hesse, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.

Forward Jason Boyce, the league’s second-leading scorer with eight points on two goals and four assists, is out for two more games because of a red card he received against El Paso on April 29. Boyce appealed his three-game suspension but was turned down.

The Waves (4-4, 17 points) are four points ahead of San Diego (3-2) in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference, despite losing last weekend to U.S. Pro-40, 2-1, and Bay Area, 4-1.

Thursday, the Waves signed midfielders Daniel Barber and Michael Robles and forward Colby Jackson. Robles, who played with Orange County last season, is coming off a broken collarbone and Jackson, who played at Cal State Fullerton, is recovering from a groin injury. Barber, who played at Pacifica High and Nevada Las Vegas, has spent his entire five-year professional career playing indoors.

Defender Michael N’Doumbe, who played in one game, was released to create roster space for the new players.