Dash unable to snap Orlando’s unbeaten streak, lose 3-1
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash fell to the Orlando Pride, losing 3-1 Saturday night in central Florida. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell recorded her 100th save of the season, becoming the fifth goalkeeper to reach that milestone in a single season.
After ending their losing streak last week with a 1-0 win over Seattle, acting head coach Ricky Clarke aimed to build on that momentum and challenge Orlando's unbeaten run. He made one rotation change, starting Ryan Gareis, who was making her first start after maternity leave.
As the match kicked off, the Dash adopted a new 4-4-2 formation to address injuries and better compete with the Pride. In the early minutes, it seemed to work, as the Dash created a few opportunities while the Pride struggled to find their rhythm.
However, that dominance was short-lived. The Pride quickly ramped up the pressure, making it difficult for the Dash to maintain a solid defensive line. They capitalized on their efforts in the 29th minute when Cori Dyke, after several crosses and attempts, found a free Carson Pickett on the edge of the box. Pickett headed the ball past Jane Campbell, giving the Pride a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw the game come alive. Orlando made a halftime substitution, bringing on Angelina for Morgan Gautrat, and she made an immediate impact. Within minutes, she sent a long ball to Adriana, who sprinted down the wing into the Dash’s 18-yard box. Adriana's quick pass to Marta resulted in a blocked shot, but Barbara Banda retrieved the ball and fed it back to Angelina, who launched it over Campbell, doubling the Pride's lead in the 51st minute.
The Dash responded quickly, displaying resilience. Following a series of quick passes, Elin Rubensson threaded a ball through Orlando's defense to Yuki Nagasato, who finished decisively to bring Houston back into the game in the 53rd minute. This marked the first time Yuki scored in back-to-back games since the 2017 season.
As the match entered stoppage time, the Dash pressed for an equalizer but were caught off guard by the legendary Marta. She maneuvered through the midfield and slotted the ball past Campbell in the 90+2 minute, securing the three points for the Pride. Marta celebrated in front of the second largest crowd ever at an Orlando Pride game, a moment she’ll cherish for years.
For Houston, it was a challenging effort to secure a draw. Jane Campbell’s two critical saves in the second half prevented a larger margin of defeat. The 3-1 result highlighted the Dash's growth; they improved their ability to contain the opposition and create clearer chances but still fell short against the league leading Pride. The question now is: how will they build on this experience as they approach the end of the season?
The Dash will return home to face the Chicago Red Stars Friday at 7:00 PM, with the match available for streaming on NWSL+.
