Dash return home, looking to find goal-scoring form: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash are back at home to host the Chicago Red Stars at Shell Energy Stadium tonight. The Dash are looking to rebound from a 1-0 loss against North Carolina Courage last weekend. The Red Stars won 1-0 against the San Diego Wave Saturday for their first win since June 5.
When: Friday, July 8 | 7:37 PM CT kickoff
Where: Shell Energy Stadium; Houston, Texas
TV/Stream: Paramount +
Perfect time to face Chicago
This will be the third time that the Dash will face the Chicago Red Stars in 2023, with one meeting in the UKG Challenge Cup and one in league play. The Dash won both games in dominate performances. As of late, the Dash are struggling scoring goals and finishing their chances. Head coach Sam Laity notices it and he sees it in the stats as well. “We’re working on it,” Laity said this week. “I think we had the third highest expected goals actually in the league until the North Carolina game, I think we dropped down to four. So, creating chances is not the big issue, obviously finishing the chances is. So, we've looked at a number of situations where we need to be better. You know, decision making at the crucial time is the important bit.” Knowing they have beat Chicago twice before, the Dash know they can get a result to help get their confidence back.
Slim midfield
The Dash midfield has been the strongest part of the team this season. The players know how to cover space and know how to pressure the opponent while they are on the ball. With Sophie Schmidt out for the World Cup, the responsibility has been placed on the remaining midfielders. Sadly, Sophie Hirst and Joelle Anderson both received knocks from the last game and will be unavailable tonight. “We are very thin on midfield,” Laity said about the injuries and missing players. “The injury to Sophie (Hirst) could not come probably at a worse time, but, you know, that’s what this squad is about. We've looked at a couple of options this week. The system won’t change for us, the personnel won't change very much. We'll bring somebody in to replace Hirst and you know we'll crack on.” The Dash have signed Hope Breslin as a National Team Replacement Player (NTRP) and and it seems the team will try to carry on as normal. The absences will bring pressure for both Marisa Viggiano and Barbara Olivieri, the last two standing it seems, to carry this midfield.
Second chances for players
With the World Cup players leaving for a month, the remaining players will have a huge opportunity to step up and make a mark on the team. One player in particular is Ebony Salmon. She has been on the outside looking in this season and has yet to find her great form of last year. “I mean the fact that you could bring Ebony (Salmon), she’s looked really sharp actually for the last few weeks,” Laity said when discussing replacing Michelle Alozie. “I'm anticipating that she steps into that position and elevates the team,” Six of Salmon’s 16 career NWSL goals have come against Chicago. Just like Sam, the fans hope to see Ebony and others to step up to win points over this next month to help get the team back into the playoffs.
Availability Report
Houston Dash - Out: Nichelle Prince (calf - 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), Shea Groom (left knee – Season-Ending Injury), Devon Kerr (excused absence), Sophie Hirst (right thigh), Joelle Anderson (left calf); International Duty: Michelle Alozie (Nigeria), Allysha Chapman (Canada), Nichelle Prince (Canada), Sophie Schmidt (Canada), Havana Solaun (Jamaica)
Chicago Red Stars – Out: Ally Schlegel (ankle), Mallory Swanson (knee); International Duty: Cheyna Matthews (Jamaica), Alyssa Naeher (USA)
Predicted Lineup
