Dash vs Kansas City Current (Challenge Cup): Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash lost 2-0 to the Kansas City Current to open the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup. Former Dash forward Cece Kizer scored both goals for KC. Houston returns to NWSL league play on Saturday on the road against the Washington Spirit.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 0 – 2 Kansas City Current
Wednesday, April 20, 2023
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Laura Rodriguez
Assistants: Zach McWhorter, Matthew Rodman
Fourth Official: Jennifer Dumaine
VAR: Kelsey Harms
Attendance: 4,124
Weather: 82 degrees, clear skies
SCORING SUMMARY
KC: Cece Kizer (Lo LaBonta) 36’
KC: Cece Kizer (Kate Del Fava) 66’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Lindsi Jennings (caution; foul) 83’
KC: Mallory Weber (caution; foul) 84’
KC: Addysin Merrick (caution; foul) 88’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (c); Caprice Dydasco, Kaite Lind, Jylissa Harris, Allysha Chapman (Lindsi Jennings 73); Havana Solaun, Bárbara Olivieri (Joelle Anderson 58), Sophie Hirst; Cameron Tucker (Diana Ordóñez 58), Michelle Alozie (Ebony Salmon 58), Courtney Petersen (María Sánchez 58)
Unused Substitutes: Savannah Madden, Madelyn Desiano, Ally Prisock, Marisa Viggiano
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 4
Fouls: 8
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 8
Saves: 0
Kansas City Current: Cassie Miller; Izzy Rodriguez (Mallory Weber 69), Kate Del Fava (Jenna Winebrenner 79), Gabrielle Robinson, Addisyn Merrick, Croix Soto; Lo LaBonta, Vanessa DiBernardo, Debhina (Alexa Spaanstra 70); Cece Kizer, Michelle Cooper (Rylan Childers 88)
Unused substitutes: AD Franch, Chardonnay Curran, Mimmi Larsson, Jordan Silkowitz
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 8
Offside: 4
Corner kicks: 0
Saves: 4
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH SAM LAITY
On his initial thoughts on the result:
"If you’re willing to make seven changes to your starting team then you have to expect to feel like this. In terms of the tactical plan, we started relatively well, but the execution technically I felt was very poor. We looked rushed at times when we just needed to put a foot on the ball. The moment that we conceded the goal, we chased the game. We didn’t need to do that. We knew they were a transitional team, and we fell into the trap on a number of occasions by being impatient and being too slow our ball movement. But like I said, if you make seven changes to your starting team and you have three rookies in the team, then you probably should expect – I don’t think you should expect a performance like that. My initial feeling right now is of frustration, but I just said to the players, ‘Get it out of your system in the next hour because we’ve got to make changes in preparation for the Washington game.’ Ultimately that’s the most important game this week. I expect a reaction from the players. Even from the players that came off the bench.”
On the aggressive strategy with the back line that might have resulted in goals for the opponent:
“It’s the second game in a row where we’ve jumped on a player checking to receive the ball with no pressure on the ball and been punished. I think (the solution is) reading the trigger and the cue and individual player making better decisions. There is no pressure on the ball. We’re following a player who is trying to create space by checking back towards the ball. We need to recognize that and hold the line, hold the space and then I think we’d have been alright. That’s the second game it’s happened, different players and it’s something we’re going to have to address very quickly.”
HOUSTON DASH MIDFIELDER HAVANA SOLAUN
On if the team lost their momentum after the second goal:
“You know, honestly, I didn't think that when we were in stoppage time. I was still in the mindset where I was like, we have five minutes, which is a ton of time. So even after the second goal, you know, I don't think that had really dropped. Goals take all of seven seconds to happen. So, I think no mater what, there's never really a point in time where take your foot off the gas.”
On what was missing in the match:
“I don't really think that there was one main thing. I think it came down to a lot of individual mistakes that kind of just piled up one and one after the other. But you know, overall, I don't think that I can say that. There's one thing you know, one laps. At the end of the day, you know, we didn't finish our chances. I think that caught up to us in the end.”
