Houston Dash vs Orlando Pride: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Diego Martinez)
The Houston Dash returned to league play on Friday night, losing 1-0 to league leaders Orlando Pride.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 0-1 Orlando Pride
Friday, August 23, 2024
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Alexandra Billeter
Assistants: Matthew Schwartz, Seun Yinka-Kehinde
Fourth Official: William Hale
Attendance: 6,514
Weather: 94 degrees, partly cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
ORL: Summer Yates (Angelina) 67’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
ORL: Julie Doyle (caution; foul) 31’
ORL: Haley McCutcheon (caution; foul) 52’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (C), Avery Patterson, Paige Nielsen, Natalie Jacobs, Tarciane, Elin Rubensson (Courtney Petersen 79’), Bárbara Olivieri (Belle Briede 88’), Yuki Nagasato (Sarah Puntigam 79’), Sophie Schmidt, Andressa Alves, Diana Ordóñez (Michelle Alozie 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Allysha Chapman, Heather Hinz, Croix Soto, Jyllissa Harris
Total shots: 9 (Barbara Olivieri 3)
Shots on goal: 1 (Michelle Alozie 1)
Fouls: 13 (Andressa 4)
Offside: 4 (Michelle Alozie 2)
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 7 (Jane Campbell 7)
Orlando Pride: Anna Moorhouse, Cori Dyke (Carson Pickett 61’), Kylie Strom, Emily Sams, Kerry Abello, Marta (C) (Evelina Duljan 89’), Angelina (Ally Watt 80’), Haley McCutcheon, Julie Doyle (Summer Yates 46’), Adriana (Morgan Gautrat 89’), Barbra Banda
Unused substitutes: Mariana Larroquette, Celia Jiménez, Ally Lemos, McKinley Cronez
Total shots: 21 (Adriana 7)
Shots on goal: 8 (Barbara Banda 4)
Fouls: 13 (Barbara Banda 4)
Offside: 1 (Barbara Banda 1)
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 1 (Anna Moorhouse 1)
HOUSTON DASH ASSISTANT COACH RICKY CLARKE
On halftime adjustments:
“They struggled with our build-up initially and then they changed their press. We knew the space was going to be in the wide areas against them, and at times we took advantage of that. In terms of their press, I actually thought it was gentle to be honest, based on how they played against other teams.”
On the defensive performance against Orlando:
“We've been getting progressively better. For us, it's about principles, and we try to stick to them as much as we can. We're defending higher up the field, so when the ball eventually gets to the backline, it's more 1v1 or 2v2 situations where we're able to help each other more. I thought our backline was brilliant tonight. For Tarciane to step in and play Barba Banda the way she did, at the age of 20, she's going to be one of the best center backs in the league.”
On Andressa’s missed header:
“If we score at that point, it changes everything. But Andressa has been there and done that. She's played at the biggest clubs in the world and performed. Players are humans. They're just humans. I told her to keep her head up and we move on to the next game. We move on to Utah and focus on them. Andressa can create something out of nothing, and she works incredibly hard.”
On looking forward:
“In the huddle at the end, I told the group that if they continue their commitment from tonight, we will move up the table. We set the bar, we set standards, and we hold ourselves accountable. We're going to get after Utah and keep going. We're not going to feel sorry for ourselves, that's not happening in this house.”
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD MICHELLE ALOZIE
On the game:
"The team looked really good. We had good possession, we had good opportunities against Orlando, and it's unfortunate that we missed the chances we had at the end. We did amazing versus Barbara (Banda), who we all know is an amazing threat in the league with her speed. Defensively we were really on top of it and unfortunately, we allowed one of our errors to be converted against us. We have opened the second part of the season and this is going to fire us up for Utah next weekend.”
On the new style of play for the team:
“At the end of the day, we really just want to keep the ball and switch the point of attack really quickly. We're able to execute that a little bit better (now). We're all on the same page and that's all we can do now. Kind of just get together on this boat and make sure that we're all cohesive and with one another. Working together towards the goal – and that's to make the playoffs.”
On the postgame gift:
“Oh my gosh. The cowboy hats are so amazing. I have never had a cowboy hat before, and I now feel like a true Texan. I just need some boots to match 'em. I am super grateful for that gift. It is beautiful. I don't even think I want to wear it because it is so pretty. They even have like a little microbiology sign for my degree, so it's amazing. I need to frame it honestly. Yeah, I'm a true Texan (laughs).”
HOUSTON DASH DEFENDER PAIGE NIELSEN
On the game:
“We had a lot of good things, things we can improve. We knew it was going to be a tough challenge; they’re number one in the league. They have built a strong team. Our focus was on us and how we can create more opportunities to move the ball. I think we did a great job. Defensively, we are pretty sound. They have one of the best offenses in the league, so I am proud of (containing them). We created some good chances, I thought we had one; we all did. I’m really proud of us tonight. I think we can keep growing. At some point, we need to stop saying that we’re growing, but it's a good step in a positive direction.”
On Tarciane:
“Our philosophy is high press. We knew that it gives up possibilities of 1-v-1 matches, but we trust each other in the back. Tarciane, she's young and she's up for any challenge. We trust Jane (Campbell) in the back too. If we want to implement what we are going to do, we have to do it against every other team, not just Orlando, who has a strong forward like (Barbara) Banda.”
On Orlando’s attack:
“It's no secret that this league depends on special moments with special players. Those are gamechangers, but we also have game changers; we need to continue to build confidence. They always have an outlet, it's hard to keep our team compact and they have brilliant midfielders like Marta, Adriana and Angelina. They are creative players and are fluid. I’m hoping we can replicate that because we have special players too.”
