Rotated Dash drop Challenge Cup opener to KC Current
The Houston Dash opened their 2023 Challenge Cup campaign with a meeting against rivals Kansas City Current. KC came into the match with some drama, firing head coach Matt Potter earlier in the day. The Current looked inspired under interim Caroline Sjoblom and were able to pick up the 2-0 win over a heavily rotated Dash team.
Sam Laity made eight changes to the Dash team that drew in Portland Friday night, with Katie Lind making her first appearance of 2023, and rookies Sophie Hirst and Jyllissa Harris getting their first starts. Houston came out on the front foot and looked to be in control of the match for the first 15 to 20 minutes. Kansas City grew into the game and began putting together some attacks of their own. Houston had a great chance after 35 minutes when Michelle Alozie got free on the left side of the box. The Nigerian international pinged a low shot on goal but Current goalkeeper Cassie Miller got a foot out to make the save. Just a minute later, KC would find the breakthrough.
A turnover from Houston led to the ball at the feet of Lo’eau LaBonta. The Current midfielder chipped a ball through to the onrushing Cece Kizer and she was in alone on goal. Kizer, the former Dash forward, stayed calm and beat Jane Campbell with a tidy finish into the far corner. Kansas City would take the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
Houston couldn’t find a goal early in the second half and Laity decided to change the entire attack in the 58th minute. Diana Ordonez, Maria Sanchez, Ebony Salmon, and Joelle Anderson replaced Cameron Tucker, Courtney Petersen, Michelle Alozie, and Barbara Olivieri. Sanchez and Salmon combined on a play that ended with the latter shooting high and just like KC’s opener, they would make Houston pay a minute later.
Kate Del Fava was played into space on the right wing and she played across all the way across goal. Kizer was the first to it, getting the outside of her foot on the ball to send it on goal. Lind tried to head the ball away but ended up putting the ball into the net to double the Current’s lead.
Changing 8 starters, including giving multiple rookies their first starts was necessary for a Dash team who has a very busy schedule this month. It was not an admission of defeat in any way but one eye was definitely on Saturday’s league match, while using the Challenge Cup to get some players rest and others some game time.
The loss doesn’t end the Challenge Cup for the Dash, as the tournament consists of six matches in a group play format. Houston will return to league play on Saturday with an away trip to take on the Washington Spirit. That game will kick off at 6 PM CT and stream on Paramount+.
