Houston Dash at Chicago Stars player ratings
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash bested the weather and the Chicago Stars to earn three points Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at how everyone performed.
Starters
Jane Campbell-8
Campbell made 5 saves in the match, none that were too nervy, but she was the rock she normally is in goal. She denied Jameese Joseph early on with a good stop but then conceded to her in the 17th minute, although there wasn’t much Campbell could do on that goal.
Natalie Jacobs-7.5
Playing her second game at left back, Jacobs was once again solid defensively. She plays more as a centerback in a back three while Avery Patterson storms forward from right back but Jacobs rarely puts a foot wrong. She won two tackles, had three interceptions, and made two clearances.
Paige Nielsen-7
Chicago’s goal came on a long ball that Nielsen couldn’t control and had trouble clearing. She made up for less than two minutes later, however, crashing the back post on a corner kick to equalize from close range. It speaks to the veteran Nielsen is that a mistake does not stay with her long.
Katie Lind-7.5
Lind played 90 minutes again in her second game back after missing last season on maternity leave. Between her, Nielsen, and Jacobs, the Dash were able to deal with most of what Chicago wanted to do offensively and clear their lines when needed.
Avery Patterson-8 (Player of the Match)
Call it right back, right wing back, right mid. Whatever you want to call where Patterson plays, she is excelling. She was rewarded with a USWNT call up earlier today on the back up another great performance against the Stars where she led the team in shot-creating actions, progressive carries, and clearances.
Danielle Colaprico-6.5
Colaprico is as consistent as it comes in the midfield. You maybe want her making a few more of her passes but she brings bite to the middle of the field. She probably should have done better on the ball that fell to her at the top of the box that she shot over the bar.
Sophie Schmidt-5.5
There wasn’t much from Schmidt to write about in this match. She made way for Maggie Graham in the second half, and she may be making way for her in the starting lineup soon.
Yazmeen Ryan-6.5
Ryan played more centrally as a 10 in this match. She hasn’t scored yet this season but Ryan’s creativity has been great. She especially looked lively late in the match linking up with Delanie Sheehan and Patterson on the right side of the Houston attack.
Ryan Gareis-6
Gareis replaced Sheehan in the starting lineup from the loss to Washington, pushing Ryan more central. She completed less than two thirds of her passes but Gareis does give the Dash some pace and ability to stretch the field. She looks comfortable in Fabrice Gautrat’s system and he seems to trust her after a good preseason.
Barbara Olivieri-7.5
Leading the team in shots and tackles sums up Olivieri well. She loves to get into the attack and isn’t afraid to take players on both on the dribble and in duels. Her whipped corner into a dangerous area helped set up Nielsen’s goal.
Messiah Bright-5.5
Bright only completed 12 passes and had just one shot in her hour plus on the field. Her pace and ability to carry the ball wide and in the channels is good but you can’t help but think Gautrat will want more from his nine, especially with Diana Ordoñez now back from injury and waiting in the wings.
Substitutes
Evelina Duljan-7
A bit of a mystery coming into the season, Duljan is proving him to be a very dangerous bench option. She started the build up for the match-winning goal, putting Sheehan through into the box. Duljan completed 16 of her 16 passes in the game as well, which is impressive for a winger.
Delanie Sheehan-8
Sheehan said after the match that Gautrat told her to clean up the offense when she came on. She did just that, driving the Dash forward and squaring to Maggie Graham to assist the winner. Her ability to play anywhere in the attack and in midfield is such a huge addition for this Houston squad.
Maggie Graham-8
The rookie struck again, making it two goals in her first two professional appearances. The finish looked to come off her shin and foot but that’s what good finishers can do. She calmly sent the ball back across Alyssa Naeher, in off the near post. Don’t expect Graham to be a sub for much longer if she stays in this red hot form.
Michelle Alozie-5
Alozie came on for the final ten minutes to help stretch the field and be an option to relieve pressure. This looks to be her role this year, coming on in the final minutes to either see things out or provide another attacking option.
Head Coach
Fabrice Gautrat-9
Gautrat’s first win as a head coach was very well managed. Chicago’s goal came off an error but the Dash responded immediately and well. His subs were perfect with Duljan, Sheehan, and Graham combining to score the winner just a minute after they came on. Gautrat is developing a culture and a style that suits this Dash team and will help them continue to improve in 2025.
