Dash want to “be aggressive” in visit to OL Reign: What to watch for
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash are in Seattle tonight to face OL Reign after their first win at home on Wednesday. After the convincing win against the Chicago Red Stars in Challenge Cup play, the Dash will try replicate that against the OL Reign who are undefeated at home. OL Reign come into this game with two straight draws.
When: Wednesday, May 6 | 9:00 PM CT kickoff
Where: Lumen Field; Seattle, Washington
TV/Stream: Paramount +
Back at home
Dash head coach Sam Laity is back in his old stomping grounds of Seattle. Laity was an assistant head coach for OL Reign for 10 years and served as interim head coach for six matches in 2021. One can say he’s going back home. “I had ten incredible years there and I’m very thankful for the support the [OL Reign] organization,” Laity mentioned ahead of the game. “But that’s all in the past, we have one objective today which is to get many points as possible.” It was a great to hear that he is laser focused on the task in hand.
Confidence is key
It was hard to wonder how the Dash would turn things around after the gut-wrenching loss to the North Carolina Courage, but the win against Chicago showed that the team turned a corner confidence wise. Laity stressed how important it is to start to win games and continue the good form. "It's important,” the Dash head coach told the media. “You can't be successful in this league [without wins]. We weren't at it for 30 minutes [against North Carolina) that was a valuable lesson for us. We definitely will not be making that same mistake in Seattle. I hope we don't make that same mistake again, the rest of the year.” It will be a great opportunity for the team to show another gear in them against this talented OL Reign team.
Lumen Field factor
There is a reason that teams struggle to get a result at Lumen Field in Seattle. The players, the staff, and the fans pressure the opposition to be fearful and focus on defending. Laity knows the key to cracking this OL team, “Be aggressive. Be on the front foot,” Laity said. “Don't back off. Don't let service into the box on a regular basis. [We] can't stop them all but get onto the ball. Stop the cross. Don't overcommit. Hold the shape. When you make a decision to press, we go together and we're aggressive, intense and relentless.” It seems like a lot for the players to do but only few teams can handle the pressure and Laity is confident in his players.
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), Makamae Gomera-Stevens (left knee - season-ending injury), Annika Creel (right knee - season-ending injury), Shea Groom (right knee), Devon Kerr (excused absence); Questionable: Ryan Gareis (hip), Kelcie Hedge (thigh), Joelle Anderson (thigh), Cameron Tucker (lower leg)
OL Reign: Out: Angelina (knee - season-ending injury), Rose Lavelle (leg), Phoebe McClernon (back), Quinn (leg), Olivia Van der Jagt (excused absence)
Predicted Lineup
