The Houston Dash returned to NWSL action last weekend when they went east to take on NJ/NY Gotham FC. It was head coach Juan Carlos Amorós' second game at the helm with a number of internationals returning to club duty after representing their countries last month. Despite getting scored on early, the Dash were able to come back in a convincing 4-2 victory to pick up a big three points on the road.
The home side was able to find the back on the net early in the fourth minute of the match, giving Gotham FC the lead. This didn't deter the Dash at all, who continued to pressure and create chances as play started to open up.
The Dash answered in the 18th minute off a corner kick. Midfielder Maria Sanchez struck a free kick that found the head of defender Katie Naughton at the near post, her effort directed the ball toward the goal line to force an own goal for the equalizer.
A classic Air Groom header put the Dash in the lead in the 36th minute. midfielder Marisa Viggiano found Sanchez up the left flank. The Mexican international placed a pinpoint cross to midfielder Shea Groom, who headed in the Dash’s second goal of the game to take a 2-1 lead. The goal marked Groom's 25th NWSL regular season goal.
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt doubled the lead in the 70th minute. Viggiano laid the ball off to Schmidt, who fired off a world class goal from outside the 18-yard box to make it 3-1.
Houston kept the onslaught coming late in the second half after Sanchez won a penalty kick in the 71st minute. Forward Ebony Salmon took the shot from the penalty spot, slotting the ball into the right corner of the goal. Salmon’s goal was her fourth in the last two games, as she is coming off her first career hat trick in the 4-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars on July 16.
The final goal of the match came in the 82nd minute when Gotham was able to pick up the ball in the midfield, but it wasn't enough for a comeback. The Dash came out on top in a 4-2 victory on the road.
"Today, the main thing we showed is the character and competitiveness we want. Obviously, the game didn't start the way we wanted, going behind, but the reaction from the team, the football we play, showed that we could go against the environment, away from home to get the result," Juan Carlos Amóros said in his post-game media availability. "The main thing today was the character of the team, which they showed today on the pitch. It was outstanding, and they were able to play moments of brilliant football, so very pleased."
