Dash stay unbeaten in NWSL with 0-0 draw in rainy D.C.
(image via Houston Dash/Twitter)
The Houston Dash returned to league play tonight with a visit to Audi Field against the Washington Spirit. The two teams came into this game unbeaten in league play and rested their starters in midweek Challenge Cup losses. Houston and Washington battled in the rain but it was literally all a wash as the match would end 0-0.
Houston came out in a 5-2-3, that they have been playing at times this season. Diana Ordonez leaped for a header in the 15th minute off a cross from Courtney Petersen but it was just out of her reach. Washington had their best chace of the half in the 19th minute. Trinity Rodman got free on the right and drove to goal. She stung a shot on goal but Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell did well to make the save.
Ebony Salmon had half a chance after 33 minutes that she put over the bar. The Dash had another good chance as the half came to an end. Maria Sanchez, with some incredible skill, got free on the left and her cross was deflected into the pat of Caprice Dydasco. She squared the ball for Ordonez but she couldn’t get off a clean shot and the teams went into the break scoreless.
The second saw more of the same with each team going back and fort. Washington’s big chance came in the 57th minute. Ashley Hatch shook free from Sophie Schmidt and sent a cross into the box. Ashley Sanchez timed her run and her header caromed off the post.
Houston had a huge chance of their own in the 70th minute. A corner came in and Schmidt rose to put a header on target. The ball seemed destined for goal but was pushed off the bar by Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury.
The teams battled as the game went on and the rain began to come down heavily in the nation’s capital. As the final whistle blew, both teams took a point and remained unbeaten in the league. The score ended up 0-0 but both teams will look back at chances and think they could have gotten on the scoresheet. The Dash will return home to Shell Energy Stadium Friday for a match with the North Carolina Courage.
