Houston Dash come up short in NWSL Challenge Cup

What was supposed to be a chance for the Dash to prove they were contenders did not turn out that way. In the first game, the Dash tied Utah Royals FC 3-3 on June 30. That game was a thriller. 

The scoring started in the 35th minute on a goal by Utah's Diana Matheson. Then in the 45th +1 minute, Houston's Rachel Daly tied the game going into the half. The second half proved to be just as intense. Daly netted her second goal of the game in the 47th minute. Newcomer Shea Groom put Houston up 3-1 in the 67th minute. Not to walk away with a loss, Utah's Veronica Boquete scored in the 82nd minute to make it 3-2 Houston. Tziarra King tied the game in the 89th minute. That would be the final score. 

The next game was the night of July 4 against OL Reign. That game showed that maybe the Dash aren't the same team from years past. Kristie Mewis started the scoring in the 12th minute with a sick back heel shot. Then in the 54th minute, newcomer Shea Groom flew up and headed the ball into the net to secure the 2-0 win. 

After earning 4 points after two games and sitting in second place out of eight teams, many fans thought this was finally going to be the season Houston proved the critics wrong. The exact opposite happened as the Dash lost their next two games by a combined three goals. 

In the third game against Sky Blue FC, the defense seemed to be non-existent. In the 17th minute, Sky Blue got their first goal from Paige Monaghan. After clearing a shot, goalkeeper Jane Campbell was out near the Dash midfield and unable to get back to the goal in time. In the 34th minute, a rocket from Sky Blue's Nahomi Kawasumi went into the net. 

The same tale played out against the Washington Spirit on Sunday afternoon. The defense seemed nowhere to be found and the offense was unable to produce. In the 16th minute, Washington's Bayley Feist scored what would be the game winner. 

With the Dash finished in the first round, it looks like we will again play Washington in the quarterfinal game. The day and time have yet to be determined. 

If the Dash want to advance out of the quarterfinals, the offense needs to fire on all cylinders and the defense needs to lock down the goal area. If both of these happen, Houston very well could end up playing in the semifinals or even the championship match.