Dash get first win of 2021 season after going winless

The Houston Dash kicked off the 2021 season with a visit to NY/NJ Gotham FC on May 15. Things did not turn out in Houston’s favor as the Dash were defeated 1-0 on a goal by Midge Purce in the 15^th minute of play.

On May 23, the Dash hoped to turn things around when Kansas City NWSL came to BBVA Stadium for a Sunday night match.

Kansas City would get the scoring started with a goal by Amy Rodriguez in the 13^th minute. Kansas City would then get a yellow card issued to Elizabeth Ball in the 53^rd minute. Houston would then get a yellow card issued to Sophie Schmidt in the 57^th minute. The Dash would then tie the game in the 60^th minute on a goal by Rachel Daly. One minute later, Kansas City would see a second yellow card issued to Taylor Leach. Kansas City native Shea Groom would give Houston a 2-1 lead after a goal in the 66^th minute. Things seemed to be in Houston’s favor when Elizabeth Ball was issued her second yellow card and a red card suspension in the 69^th minute. However, Kansas City would take advantage of playing with 10 players and tie the game two minutes into stoppage time.

Houston would then play the Washington Spirit in Houston due to construction delays at Segra Field on May 26. Again, things did not work in favor as the Dash fell 2-1.

Rachel Daly would score the only goal for Houston in the 9^th minute. Washington would then tie the game in the 21^st minute on a goal by Ashley Sanchez. Discipline was a problem for both teams. Andi Sullivan would be issued a yellow card in the 44^th minute. One minute later, Houston’s Haley Hanson would get a yellow card as well.

Tied at the half, Houston hoped to walk away with a draw. Things appeared that way when Andi Sullivan was issued a second yellow card and a red card ejection in the 50^th minute. Forced to play with 10 players, Washington took advantage when Ashley Hatch scored in the 70^th minute to give the Spirit the lead and ultimately the win.

Winless through three games, Houston hoped to get their first win on May 29 at home against the Chicago Red Stars.

Things did not start out in Houston’s favor though. A Chicago goal by Mal Pugh in the 4^th minute gave the Red Stars an early lead. However, the Dash would respond in the 17^th minute with a goal by Nichelle Prince to tie the game at 1 goal each. Sophie Schmidt would then give the Dash the lead and the win with a goal in the 82^nd minute of play.

Four games into the season, the Houston Dash currently sit in sixth place and would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

If the Dash can’t capitalize on playing with extra players, this season will be a very long and drawn out one.

Veronica Latsko could raise the bar

 Houston Dash player Veronica Latsko is definitely ready to raise the bar in more ways than one. The Pittsburgh native is currently applying to law school. She wants to be a civil rights lawyer and focus on women’s rights. Club Eleven recently caught up with her at Agora Coffee in Houston, TX.

When asked why she wanted to apply to law school while still under contract with the Dash, Latsko responded by saying that she really got into that path during her second year at the University of Virginia when she got involved with sexual assault survivors and prevention programs. “That really drove me towards having a degree in public policy. From there, I wanted to expand and have some kind of legal credentials so I could make effective changes.”

And then in 2018, the Houston Dash drafted her and law school took a back seat. “At one point, I was not even sure if I was going to get drafted by a team and play pro or if I was going to law school. I had already taken the LSAT exam, and then things sort of happened,” she told Club Eleven.

When asked what stood out to her during her rookie campaign, Latsko said that pay and housing issues stood out. “You’re making the equivalent of poverty level wages in eight months. The other four months, you don’t get paid and don’t have a place to live. You have to figure that out.”

There have been some changes since 2018. Players are now guaranteed housing and pay for the entire year. Prior to those changes, many players would spend the offseason playing in Australia. “You’re a professional athlete and you should be paid the entire year,” she said.

The main difference between the National Women’s Soccer League and Australia contracts is a guarantee. In Australia, the contracts are fully guaranteed. In the NWSL, the contracts are semi-guaranteed. This means any club can trade a player at any point in the season.

Latsko is also part of the NWSL Player’s Association and is on the Collective Bargaining Agreement Committee. “With the CBA, we lay out the demands to not only start the season, but to keep it going as well,” Latsko said.

When asked why she’s applying to law school in the middle of her soccer career, Latsko said that there is no shortage of women’s rights violations in professional soccer and that was all she needed. With her LSAT score about to expire, if she doesn’t apply to law school now, she will have to retake the exam and start over.

When asked why she wanted to pursue civil rights, Latsko stated that everything she has seen showed her there is always a demand for civil rights lawyers.

Whether or not she gets accepted into law school, Veronica Latsko will always be advocating for women’s rights and equality.