Dash visit reigning NWSL champion Gotham in Sunday matinee: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash travel to New Jersey to face the current NWSL champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC. The Dash are currently at the bottom of the table following their recent loss to the Utah Royals last weekend. Meanwhile, Gotham sits in 4th place, striving to climb to the top despite their defeat to the Orlando Pride in their last league match.
When: Sunday, September 8 | 12:00 PM CT
Where: Red Bull Arena; Harrison, New Jersey
TV/Stream: ESPN2 (English) and ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
Rock Bottom
With only eight games remaining, the Dash are at the bottom of the NWSL table, trailing seven points behind the last playoff position. Given their current form, making up this deficit seems challenging. Their upcoming matches will be against teams that are in strong contention for top playoff spots. The Dash have dug themselves a deep hole, and their best hope is to make the league more competitive by causing some surprising upsets.
Need for Goals
Despite recent positive news regarding contract extensions for key players, the team's primary concern remains their attacking capabilities. Following the departure of players like Cece Kizer, Courtney Petersen, and Sophie Hirst, the Dash have limited attacking options, and those available have struggled to score. Diana Ordonez is the team's top scorer with just four goals in the league, a tally still well short of her rookie season. Ramona Bachmann’s return should help things. Although the build-up play has improved, the team must find a way to convert chances into goals and secure valuable points.
History with the Bats
The Dash and Gotham FC have a rich history of competitive matches, with both teams having won eight times against each other. Since leaving the Dash, Gotham head coach Juan Carlos Amoros has won only one game while managing against his former team. Adding to the intensity of the matchup, Cece Kizer, recently released by the Dash, has joined Gotham to bolster their already strong attacking lineup. Gotham just played on Thursday in Costa Rica in Concacaf W play, so Kizer could slot right into the lineup with some players likely needing a rest. But even not at full strength, with such an arsenal at Gotham's disposal, achieving a favorable result will be a tough challenge for the Dash.
Availability Report
Houston Dash – Out: Katie Lind (maternity leave), Kiki Van Zanten (SEI-foot), Amanda West (D45-knee), Madison Ayson (foot), Barbara Olivieri (yellow card accumulation); Questionable: Ramona Bachmann (thigh), Natalie Jacobs (thigh)
NJ/NY Gotham FC– Out: Sinead Farrelly (SEI), Svava Gudmunsdottir (excused absence), Sam Hiatt (foot), Rose Lavelle (thigh), Maitane Lopez (hip), Midge Purce (SEI), Abby Smith (SEI), Ella Stevens (lower leg); Questionable: Bruninha (illness)
Predicted Lineup
