Dash Stay Unbeaten in August, Share Points in 1-1 Draw With Reign
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash returned to Shell Energy Stadium for a Sunday night showdown with the Seattle Reign. Houston came into the match unbeaten in their last three matches and coming off back-to-back wins. The Dash were inching closer to the playoff line, looking to add more points.
Head coach Fabrice Gautrat made just one change to the starting lineup, inserting Messiah Bright in place of Evelina Duljan. Bright had a chance in the opening seconds to make that decision look brilliant. Kiki Van Zanten found some space on the left in the first minute and fired a cross into the box. Bright turned and shot but her effort went just wide of goal.
Houston looked to control possession to keep the ball and keep it away from a dangerous Reign team. Danielle Colaprico thumped the cross bar from 18 yards out after a corner kick in the 29th minute, the best chance either team had in the opening 45 minutes.
Just after the second half began, Houston found the opening goal. Seattle defender Phoebe McClernon tried to pass back to goalkeeper Claudia Dickey but her pass was way too short. Yazmeen Ryan intercepted the pass and dribbled by one defender and by Dickey before tucking it into the empty net to give the Dash a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute.
Seattle got an equalizer in the 65th minute. Sofia Huerta swung a great ball into the box for Jordyn Huitema. The Canadian striker headed it past Jane Campbell to tie the score at 1-1. The assist from Huerta was her 32nd in her career, a new NWSL record.
New signing Clarissa Larisey made her Dash debut in the 82nd minute as Houston pushed for a winner. Larisey combined well in the box with fellow sub Duljan in the 85th minute but the Dash attack couldn’t get a shot away.
The full time whistle blew with Houston and Seattle taking a point each after a 1-1 draw. The one point keeps the Dash in 11th place in the table and they now sit 2 points behind Gotham and North Carolina Courage who are tied for 8th, the final playoff spot.
The Dash are back on the road for their next match, away against Racing Lousiville on Friday night. Houston will be looking for some redemption after they were beaten by Louisville 2-1 at Shell Energy Stadium earlier this season.
