Dash fall to bottom of NWSL table after loss to Utah
(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dash suffered a 3-1 defeat against the Utah Royals Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium, dropping to the bottom of the NWSL league table.
Acting head coach Ricky Clarke made one change from the previous week's formation, replacing striker Diana Ordonez with versatile forward Michelle Alozie.
The Dash started the game with early pressure, and in the 11th minute, a corner kick led to a scramble in the box. Elin Rubensson's quick cross deflected off Kate Del Fava and seemed to give Houston the lead. However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to Andressa being offside during the build-up.
The Dash’s inability to capitalize on their chances allowed Utah to gain confidence and control. In the 43rd minute, a corner kick led to a chaotic scramble in the box. Kaleigh Riehl’s shot hit the crossbar, but Ana Tejada pounced on the rebound and scored. Despite a last-ditch attempt by Tarciane to clear the ball off the line, the assistant referee confirmed the goal, giving Utah a 1-0 lead at halftime.
After the break, Utah continued their dominance. In the 54th minute, Barbara Olivieri’s rash tackle on Cloe Lacasse resulted in a penalty kick. Claudia Zornoza converted from the spot, making it 2-0. Utah’s advantage grew with a quick counterattack: Zornoza’s through ball found Paige Monaghan, who beat Jane Campbell to make it 3-0 in the 60th minute.
The Dash fought back, and Natalie Jacobs’ long ball found Andressa, who managed to score a consolation goal, ending a 624-minute scoring drought for the club. However, the Dash couldn’t mount a comeback and the final whistle blew on a 3-1 loss.
The match was challenging for Houston fans, as Utah clearly outperformed the Dash despite both teams being at the bottom of the table. With no new signings on the horizon, the Dash's prospects for improvement this season seem bleak. They now sit in 14th place in the league, at the bottom of the table, and may struggle to climb out.
The Dash will travel to New Jersey next Sunday to face NJ/NY Gotham FC at 12:00 PM. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, ESPN 2, and ESPN Deportes.
