Dash travel to Windy City to take on Red Stars: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash/Twitter)
The Houston Dash are on the road in Chicago for a date at SeatGeek Stadium to face off with the Chicago Red Stars. After drawing Racing Louisville 0-0 in last weekend’s home opener, the Dash are looking for a result away from home. This will be the first of three straight league games on the road for Houston. Chicago is coming off a 3-2 loss at San Diego in their first match.
When: Saturday, April 1 | 1:00 PM CT kickoff
Where: SeatGeek Stadium; Bridgeview, Illinois
TV/Stream: AT&T SportsNet Southwest (local), Paramount+ (national)
Still the best away team in NWSL?
There was no disagreement that last year the Dash were the best away team in the NWSL. With an away record of 7 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, Houston will look to keep that impressive record outside of Houston going for this season. Grabbing points away from home is crucial in this league, since the margin is so thin between teams. And who could forget that crucial 1-0 win last season at SeakGeek Stadium that pushed the Dash into playoff contention.
Exposing the Back Three
Chicago hasn’t changed their style of play. They love to play with a back three and crowd the midfield. The Dash know this very, very well. Houston will be looking to exploit those weaknesses and win the ball in transition. The Dash have players that can out run any team with the likes of María Sánchez, Ryan Gareis, Ebony Salmon and even Marisa Viaggiano. Gareis spoke this week about new head coach Sam Laity and how they are creating an identity. “Having Sam as a new addition has been very helpful,” Gareis said. “Last year, we struggled and had a lot of adversity in terms of always having a new coach and having to stay together because we didn’t always have that constant. Having Sam throughout preseason and going into season has served as that constant which has helped us find our identity and develop as a collective. We’re playing under his style, he sees as our strengths and helping us find our identity as a team and taking that forward into season.” Now the real question is, can they capitalize on those moments and chances?
Take two on the new strike partnership
The first appearance of the new strike partnership of Diana Ordonez and Ebony Salmon was a little underwhelming. With a combined xG of .12 in the first half (3 shots, 2 on target), many were left wanting more. Head Coach Sam Laity and Assistant Coach Sarah Lowdon know that this new partnership will take time to gel. They know it’s a work in progress. "There's going to be different partnerships that you'll see throughout the season. That right there is a work in progress,” Lowdon told the media this week. It's only the third time we've played NWSL opposition but the first real regular season game so there were a lot of gray areas (overall). It's a work in progress but it is something that we are excited about as a staff." With Diana’s 11 goals and Ebony’s 9 goals last year, it will be a matter of time before they will reproduce that on the field for the Dash.
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), Makame Gomera-Stevens (left knee - season-ending injury), Annika Creel (right knee - season-ending injury), Shea Groom (right knee); Questionable: Katie Lind (right calf), Barbara Olivieri (right knee), Courtney Petersen (right ankle)
Chicago Red Stars – Out: Emily Boyd (knee), Addie McCain (ankle), Kayla Sharples (knee); Questionable: Mackenzie Wood (hand)
Predicted Lineup
