All or Nothing: Houston Dash Battle Angel City to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

(image via Houston Dash)

The Houston Dash travel to Los Angeles today for a do-or-die clash with Angel City FC. Houston sits in 10th place, now six points out of a playoff spot, while Angel City trails just behind, nine points off the pace.

When: Sunday, October 12 | 4:00 PM CT

Where: BMO Stadium; Los Angeles, California

TV/Stream: ESPN

Do or Die – This Time for Real

Three games remain for the Houston Dash, and it’s officially crunch time. Sitting in 10th place and six points outside the playoff picture might sound manageable — but it’s anything but easy. The Dash not only need to win this match and the final two but also rely on other results to fall their way (more on that later).

Houston faces a tough stretch to close out the season: an Angel City FC side winless in over a month, Kansas City Current — fresh off clinching the Supporters’ Shield — and a Portland Thorns team still fighting to lock in home-field advantage. No game will be easy, but the Dash must grind out results and stay locked in on earning three points tonight.

Results Need to Go Their Way

Even if the Dash claim all nine points from their remaining matches, their playoff destiny isn’t entirely in their control. They’ll need help from elsewhere. Dash fans will be scoreboard-watching teams like the North Carolina Courage, San Diego Wave, and Racing Louisville — hoping those clubs stumble down the stretch.

Some of those teams have already dropped points, but so have the Dash. Now, with time running out, Houston must take care of business and hope the table tilts in their favor.

Winless Angel City

If there’s ever a time for Houston to capitalize, it’s now. Angel City have been in a slump since losing star forward Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea over the summer. Since then, they’ve gone five straight matches without a win, recording four losses and a draw.

Still, ACFC aren’t without quality — players like Gisele Thompson, Hina Sugita, Riley Tiernan, and Sarah Gorden can cause problems. But this matchup presents a golden opportunity for the Dash to seize momentum and keep their postseason hopes alive.

Availability Report

Houston Dash – Out: Jane Campbell (thigh), Maggie Graham (SEI-shoulder), Amanda West (SEI-knee), Sophie Schmidt (SEI-knee)

Angel City FC - Out: Claire Emslie (maternity leave), Savy King (medical leave), Sydney Leroux (excused absence)

Predicted Lineup