Dash get first win of 2023, beating Chicago Red Stars 2-1
(image via Houston Dash/Twitter)
The road warriors know as the Houston Dash picked up their first win of the 2023 season, winning away at SeatGeek Stadium against the Chicago Red Stars 2-1. The match was a nervy test for the Dash with Chicago playing their home opener in very cold weather.
Dash head coach Sam Laity made two changes to the starting lineup from last week, bringing in Maria Sanchez for Ryan Gareis and Allysha Chapman for the injured Courtney Peterson. Laity also switched the lineup more to a 4-3-3 to accommodate Sanchez and Salmon on the wings and Anderson as the 10.
In the first half, Houston got on the front foot, setting the tempo in the game. They began overrunning the wings against Chicago’s back line. In the 4th minute, with a quick counterattack, forward Diana Ordóñez sent a through ball to Ebony Salmon on the right wing. Salmon waited patiently for Maria Sanchez to get in the box for a tap in chip into an empty net to give the Dash a 1-0 lead.
After the goal, Chicago pressed with Mallory Swanson on the flank and she was a big threat on the wing. In the 14th minute, Chicago failed to clear the ball in their half and it landed to Ordóñez. Ordóñez sent a lob pass to Salmon and gave her a one-on-one chance with Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Naeher made an excellent save to keep the Red Stars’ deficit at one. Soon after, a constant press from Chicago led to a corner. Swanson sent the corner in the box but defender Natalie Jacobs mistimed the clearance and put the ball in the back of her own net in the 19th minute to make it 1-1.
For the rest of the half, both teams pressed and waited for a counterattack. Both goalkeepers made saves to keep their sides in the game with the teams exchanging possession and scoring opportunities. At halftime, the Dash had 52% possession of the ball and 6 shots with 3 on target.
Houston came out for the second 45 like the beginning of the first half, pressing and dominating the ball. The Dash had many opportunities in the final third early in the half but were unable to convert them. In the 55th minute a bad clearance from Chicago’s defense gave Ordóñez a chance in the box but she was fouled. Referee Karen Callado didn’t blow the whistle but was told to go to VAR. She overturned the call to give the Dash the penalty. Up stepped Ordóñez and she slotted it into the bottom left corner to get her first goal for the Dash and give Houston the 2-1 lead in the 60th minute.
Chicago’s best chance to equalize came in the 89th minute. Another Red Stars’ corner looked to be dangerous as Casey Krueger put a headed shot goal-bound. Chapman, stationed on the near post, was able to head the ball off the line and up and over the goal, away from danger.
The win gave the Dash their first win of the season as well as another road win. Houston won a staggering 7 times away from home in 2022. The victory was also the first for head coach Sam Laity. He’s waited a long time as an assistant and this win will be one he will never forget.
The Dash will travel away again next weekend to face the Portland Thorns at Providence Park on April 14th at 9:30 PM CT. The match will be streamed on Paramount +.
