Houston Dash Crowned Champions

After not making the playoffs for the last six years, the Houston Dash claimed their first ever title after defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 in the NWSL Challenge Cup Final. The team proved they weren’t the same as before. 

The game remained scoreless through the first four minutes until a yellow card penalty was given to Chicago’s Kayla Sharples after she tripped Houston’s Kristie Mewis. The penalty kick was taken by Sophie Schmidt in the fifth minute and went in for the goal. Mewis would remain in the game until being pulled in the 29th minute for CeCe Kizer. Mewis apparently injured the hamstring in the penalty. 

After taking a 1-0 lead at the half, Houston would get another goal by Shea Groom with the assist going to Rachel Daly in the first minute of stoppage time. That goal would prove to be the game winner too. 

Can the Dash carry the momentum into the future? Time will tell.