Dash beat Red Stars

Coming off a loss to Orlando, the Houston Dash returned to the win column in Juan Carlos Amorós’ first game in charge, beating the Chicago Red Stars by a score of 4-1 Saturday night at PNC Stadium. The Red Stars came into the match on a nine-game unbeaten streak but Ebony Salmon stole the show to end their run and give Houston a big three points.

Salmon put the Dash in front after just eleven minutes, pressing the Chicago back line into a turnover. The English striker pressured Chicago defender Zoe Morse all the way back to her goal which pressured goalkeeper Emily Boyd into a bad pass. Boyd’s pass was intercepted by Shea Groom who squared the ball back into the middle to Salmon, whose shot deflected off Amanda Kowalski and into the back of the net.

The goal was Salmon’s first for the Dash after being acquired in a trade at the end of June. It certainly wouldn’t be her last, as Salmon gave the Red Stars’ defense fits the whole match. She nearly doubled her tally on the night after a brilliant solo run, but Boyd came out and made a huge save to keep the match 1-0.

Goalkeeper Lindsey Harris made three saves in the first half including a huge one to deny Ella Stevens in a one-on-one situation. Harris started the match in place of Jane Campbell who was ruled out of the match due to COVID protocols.

Salmon doubled her goal haul and the Dash lead in second half stoppage time. Defender Natalie Jacobs sent a long ball down the right sideline and Salmon outraced everyone to get on the end of it. She wasted no time when she got to the ball, smashing her first touch past Chicago goalkeeper Emily Boyd.

Houston came out in the second half still flying and Salmon bagged her hat-trick in the 55th minute. A Chicago corner was cleared and the Red Stars were left out-numbered on the counter. Ryan Gareis flew forward and picked out Salmon with a through ball to unlock the back line. Salmon calmly smashed the ball low and hard past Boyd to score the second hat-trick in Houston Dash history. Nichelle Prince got the first earlier this season, scoring three against the Orlando Pride. 

The Dash played extremely well in a match they came into with so many things against them. Campbell and defender Julia Ashley were ruled out due to COVID protocols to add to the six players already out for Houston on international duty. It was also Amorós’ first match in charge after just arriving in town this week to lead trainings. Players like Harris, Gareis, and Jacobs stepped up and had huge performances in a match where team needed them in a big way. 19 year-old Paulina Gramaglia made her Dash debut in the second half of the match, becoming the youngest player to appear in a match for Houston.

Sam Fisher grabbed a goal in the 88th minute to ruin the shutout for the Dash and Harris. The rookie scored her first NWSL goal as she was able to get alone in front of Harris and put Chicago on the board. The disappointment of losing the shutout was short-lived as Joelle Anderson ended the big night for Houston, opening her NWSL account with a goal in stoppage time. Anderson’s shot from the top of the box was on goal and Boyd’s attempt at a save was bundled into the net.

Next up for the Dash will be a trip to the Big Apple to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC on July 31. Houston’s Canadian contingent of Nichelle Prince, Sophie Schmidt, and Allysha Chapman should be available for that game after they wrap up CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on Monday against the United States.

KC Current knock off Houston Dash 2-1

The Houston Dash returned from the international break to take on the Kansas City Current at PNC Stadium. With a number of starters still out on international duty, Houston struggled to get going and fell by a final score of 2-1.

The game got off to a good start with both teams finding their feet after some extended time off. Neither team able to find the back of the net, with a few chances on both ends. Ebony Salmon was able to break behind the defense a couple of times but could not finish. The score remained 0-0 until the 42nd minute. 

A corner kick for Kansas City would end up being recycled in to the box. The cross was sent back in and Shea Groom got in front of the ball to block it. The referee pointed to the spot for a hand ball on Groom, resulting in a penalty kick for the Current. Lo’eau LaBonta would find the back of the net, beating Jane Campbell down the middle, to make it 1-0 at the half.

After the match, acting head coach Sarah Lowdon spoke aboout the team’s mentality after the penalty and going in to the half down a goal. “Yeah, I mean I think you know listen at halftime we were in this game like I thought we had some really good spells of possession,” Lowdon said. “I thought we created some really good opportunities we just didn’t have that finish and I think that’s kind of been the story in the other games too. The penalty, we are still in that game. It happens right before halftime it felt like we actually played them at their place and we got a penalty right before halftime so it changes obviously a little bit at halftime in terms of kind of the message but again the second goal kills us. It’s just, it’s tough to concede right after the second half and yeah, again I think we definitely created more opportunities in the second half and just unfortunate that we couldn’t get something out of this game tonight.”

The Dash needed to rebound in the second half but the deficit was doubled in the first minute after the break. A goal in the 46th minute by Hailie Mace would make it 2-0 to the Current and give Houston an uphill battle. 

Houston fought until the end. Ryan Gareis’ cross deep into stoppage time was defelcted in for an own goal by Elizabeth Ball to make it 2-1 Kansas City. The final whistle would blow not long after and that would be the final score.

Ebony Salmon had some good chances in her debut, after being acquired in a trade with Racing Louisville earlier this week, but she was unable to find the back of the net. “For me it is always good that I am getting the most goal scoring opportunities,” Salmon said after the match. But I have to make sure that I am taking chances and clinically in front of the goal.”

The Dash travel to Orlando to face the Orlando Pride for their next match on Friday, July 8. That game will stream on Twitch. The next home match is Saturday, July 16 against the Chicago Red Stars.