Dash try for points before Olympics break: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash are once again on the road, this time for a matinee meeting with the Chicago Red Stars. Houston will try to find some form and pick up points before the NWSL breaks after this weekend for the Olympics. The Dash lost 2-0 to Kansas City in their last match and have not scored a goal in four straight matches. Assistant coach Ricky Clarke will once again take charge of the match for Houston with head coach Fran Alonso still away from the team with an illness.
When: Saturday, July 6 | 12:00 PM CT
Where: SeatGeek Stadium; Bridgeview, Illinois
TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN+
Oh Goals, Where Art Thou
The Dash last scored a goal on May 24 in their 3-0 win over the North Carolina Courage. That means they went the entire month of June without finding the back of the net. Luckily for Houston, it’s now July so perhaps something can change? It starts up front with Diana Ordonez, Ramona Bachmann, and Michelle Alozie. Can Clarke and the coaching staff devise some tactics to help get them better looks? And can they finish when they get those looks? Clarke mentioned yesterday how the month-long break for the Olympics would help them work on some things. Scoring goals will be at the top of that to-do list but, they’ve still got one more game to try and work on it.
Brazilian-Sized Hole
Tarciane has been ruled out for this match with a thigh injury, leaving a big hole in the Dash defense. Since her arrival at the close of the transfer window, Houston’s back three has been solid, in addition to Jane Campbell. With Tarciane out, who steps in? We could see Sophie Schmidt return to center back from midfield as she did early in the year. Courtney Petersen has played some as a wide center back as well. Or does Clarke bring Jyllissa Harris into the lineup? Dash fans will probably have some flashbacks to the defense pre-Tarciane but Houston should be able to patch things up for one game.
The Stars in the Windy City
Chicago had lost four of its last five matches, including two at home, before going on the road and dominating the San Diego Wave 3-0 last week. Superstar Mal Swanson is back this season after injury and is in great form with six goals and three assists this season. Swanson seems to score every time she plays the Dash so she has to be looking forward to seeing the orange jerseys line up across from her today. USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher will battle with Jane Campbell today in a contest to show Emma Hayes who should be between the sticks for the red, white, and blue. Chicago will look to ride their momentum from last week into today and grab a win before the break but with just two home wins in seven this season, points are there for the taking for the Dash.
Availability Report
Houston Dash – Out: Ryan Gareis (meternity leave), Katie Lind (maternity leave), Havana Solaun (knee), Kiki Van Zanten (SEI - foot), Cece Kizer (knee), Sophie Hirst (ankle), Sarah Puntigam (yellow card accumulation), Tarciane (thigh)
Chicago Red Stars – Out: Ava Cook (SEI), Penelope Hocking (yellow card accumulation); Questionable: Jenna Bike (head)
Predicted Lineup
