Dash host first Space Race of 2023: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium for the first Space Race match of 2023 against the Orlando Pride. Houston is coming off a 2-0 win on the road against the Kansas City Current. Orlando lost 1-0 to the Chicago Red Stars last Saturday.
When: Saturday, June 3 | 7:37 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: Paramount +
Ebony’s revenge tour
The English National Team announced their roster for this summer’s World Cup and Dash forward Ebony Salmon didn’t make the team. Salmon, is still just 22 years old so this won’t be her last chance but it is still disappointing for a player who had begun getting call-ups last year. “Yeah, I mean, obviously she's disappointed. Who wouldn’t want to be in the World Cup,” Dash head coach Sam Laity told the media Friday. “Obviously, the conversation has been that should be ready for when she does get called-up and it could very well be in preparation for the World Cup. She’s on the reserve list. She'll probably be the first forward that gets called up if there is anybody that drops. She’s disappointed but she also understands and is very mature for her age. The message is clear. Keep going. Pressure is off a little bit now. Just enjoy your football. Do the basic training and then when you get your opportunities in games, take advantage of it.” With the pressure now off of Salmon could we see her go on another goal scoring tear like when she first joined the Dash season? She’s definitely got a point to prove to some people, and that could start tonight with the Orlando Pride.
Air Groom grounded
Midfielder Shea Groom made her season debut last time out against Kansas City. The midfielder was ready to begin getting back into the team as the season heated up. Groom was scheduled to talk to the media yesterday but the press conference was cut short before she spoke. Something seemed off. This morning, Groom posted on her Instagram that she tore her ACL yesterday. It’s awful news for the Dash who could use some more attacking prowess in the midfield but more importanlty for Groom. She had just worked her way back from an injury she suffered in preseason and now to have a serious injury occur is just heart-breaking. We want to wish Shea all the best in her recovery and we know Air Groom will be back flying before long.
Joga Bonit0 Orlando
The Orlando Pride are just 9th in the NWSL table this season but they’re a team that can’t be taken lighlty, especially for a Dash team that has struggled at home. Orlando is led by their duo of Brazilian attackers, Adriana and Marta. Houston’s defense will have to be ready, and not repeat their performance last time at home when Alex Morgan and San Diego were in town. Laity knows that, even though their results don’t show it, this Orlando team is dangerous. “Yeah, I mean, I think they're a very, very underrated team and this is not coaching speech. I genuinely believe they're underrated,” Laity said. “We've got some massive threats. [Orlando forward] Audriana is huge threat, she’s probably the in-form center forward in the league right now. She looks very dangerous. She's very creative, very fast. You’ve also got [Orlando forward] Marta that that can pull the strings. So yeah, they’re a very dangerous opponent. I want the message to be very clear this week that we need to get our defensive shape right. We've got to get our intensity right and we've got to be clean on the ball, especially in their attacking third, because they don't give a lot of chance. The points that they've picked up has not been commensurate, in my opinion, to the quality of the team. It's a massive test, no doubt.”
Availability Report
Houston Dash - Out: Nichelle Prince (Achilles - season-ending injury), Ella Dederick (right knee - season-ending injury), Emily Curran (left knee - season-ending injury), Makamae Gomera-Stevens (left knee - season-ending injury), Annika Creel (right knee - season-ending injury), Devon Kerr (excused absence), Ally Prisock (right thigh), Shea Groom (left knee)
Orlando Pride - Out: Carrie Lawrence (knee - season-ending injury), Amanda Allen (international duty); Questionable: Kaylie Collins (hand), Jordyn Listro (thigh)
Predicted Lineup
