Dash host Racing Louisville in 2024 home opener: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash will host Racing Louisville tonight in their home opener at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dash will be looking to bounce back from their deflating loss against the North Carolina Courage last weekend. Racing Louisville comes in off a nail-biting 2-2 draw in their season opener against the Orlando Pride last Saturday.
When: Saturday, March 23 | 7:30 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: NWSL+
Home factor
Dash fans are excited to be back at Shell Energy Stadium, once again, for the start of another season. The main question will be, can Shell Energy Stadium be a fortress for the Dash this season? Head coach Fran Alonso has mentioned many times how wonderful it is to be in a stadium like the one the Dash call home. Alonso wants to attract fans with his attacking style and with wins. "We are very excited. The girls have trained very well, very intense, this week. I was a little bit worried that maybe they could have lost a little bit of confidence because of the performance last game and the result being negative for us. However, they look very positive, very excited. They look ready for what is going to be a very tough game, but in front of our fans, and we definitely want to give them something to cheer on." A win in a season opener will get fans excited to come back and stay back.
Defensive checkup
The game against the North Carolina Courage had a lot of defensive errors and mistakes that cost the Dash. A lot of this was due to a new system and putting players on the backline that weren’t natural center backs. Alonso has admitted that the game plan didn’t go as well as he thought. Houston will need to find the balance in transition play so they don’t allow players like Uchenna Kanu, Elexa Bahr, or Carson Pickett expose the back line.
Louisville looking to turn the tables
The Dash have a solid record against Racing Louisville since they joined the NWSL, with six wins and three draws out of eleven matches. Recently, Louisville has been a challenge for the Dash. In their last five league matches, the Dash have won twice and drew three times. Louisville can be a tough opponent and upset many teams. The Dash should not take this team lightly or they will be punished like they were against the Courage.
Availability Report
Houston Dash - Out: Allysha Chapman (maternity leave), Ryan Gareis (maternity leave), Katie Lind (excused absence); Questionable: Natalie Jacobs (hip), Michelle Alozie (knee)
Racing Louisville - Out: Yuuka Kurosaki (lower leg), Miley Clegg (thigh); Questionable: Ary Borges (leg), Kirsten Wright (leg)
Predicted Lineup
