Dash finish Challenge Cup with away match at Red Stars: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash are on the road in Bridgeview, Illinois for the final match of the UKG NWS: Challenge Cup group stage against the Chicago Red Stars. The Dash are in 3rd place after their 1-0 win against Racing Louisville last weekend. Chicago Red Stars sit in last place after their recent draw with KC Current. Both teams have been eliminated from advancing in the tournament.
When: Saturday, August 5 | 7:00 PM CT kickoff
Where: SeatGeek Stadium; Bridgeview, Illinois
TV/Stream: Paramount+
Last game before league play
The Dash are out of the NWSL Challenge cup but that doesn’t mean they won’t take this last match seriously. Head coach Sam Laity commented this week that they would put out a team that would compete and build confidence for league play to resume in two weeks. This will be the perfect opportunity to see which players can step up and get ready for the final seven games of the season.
Boost of confidence
Last weekend’s win seemed to be a weight off the shoulders of the players and coaching staff. Prior to that 1-0 victory, it had been almost two months since the Dash registered a win in any competition. Laity said that this week of training has been a relief and now they can focus on building on that performance. A win can be the boost they need to get another result tonight and begin to build their form.
Another break, again
The Dash and the NWSL will have another two-week break after this weekend before league play resumes. Laity told the media this week that the break comes at the worst time, since the team could find some form and could lose it with the time off. The time off could also be beneficial because the World Cup players can be back and rested before the first league game. Laity said the team will play one of the boys’ academy teams next weekend to keep playing matches.
Availability Report
Houston Dash - Out: Ella Dederick (right knee - season-ending injury), Emily Curran (left knee - season-ending injury), Shea Groom (Knee – Season-Ending Injury), Devon Kerr (excused absence); Questionable: Emily Alvarado (thigh), Sophie Hirst (thigh), Barbara Olivieri (hip); International Duty: Michelle Alozie (Nigeria), Havana Solaun (Jamaica)
Chicago Red Stars - Out: Kayla Sharples (hamstring), Biance St. Georges (suspension - card accumulation), Mallory Swanson (knee); International Duty: Cheyna Matthews (Jamaica), Alyssa Naeher (USA)
Predicted Lineup
