The Houston Dash host the undefeated North Carolina Courage on Sunday for their annual Pups to the Pitch Match, presented by Houston Methodist.
FW Rachel Daly earned NWSL Player of the Week honors after a scoring a brace in Houston's 3-2 victory over the Washington Spirit last Sunday. The forward is one of goal shy of matching her personal best, set last year after splitting time as a forward and defender.
Daly is one of four Dash players that will report to their national team next week for international duty. The forward will travel to Moscow for a 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Russia. Daly will be joined by the Canadian trio of forward Nichelle Prince and defenders Lindsay Agnew and Allysha Chapman, who will face Germany in a friendly on June 10, on international duty over the next two weeks.
FW Kealia Ohai scored her first goal of the season in Houston's victory over Washington last Sunday, her first goal since April 2017. The forward has now scored 22 goals for the club, the most in franchise history.
This is the second meeting between the clubs, with North Carolina defeating Houston 2-0 on April 28. North Carolina holds a 4-0-0 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams will also meet on the final weekend of the regular season in North Carolina on Aug. 8.
The Courage will play without six internationals as Denise O'Sullivan joins Ireland for a FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Norway on June 8. Defenders Abby Dahlkemper and Merritt Mathias, midfielders Sam Mewis and McCall Zerboni; and forward Crystal Dunn will report to the U.S. Women's National Team for two friendly matches against China PR.
North Carolina will look to forward Jessica McDonald, who leads the team with four goals, and defender Jaelene Hinkle, who is tied the league lead with three assists, to spark the most productive offense in the league. The Courage currently lead the league in goals (19), assists (15), shots (166) and shots on target (73).
Houston will return to league play on June 22 when the Dash host Tobin Heath, Christine Sinclair and the reigning NWSL Champions, Portland Thorns FC at BBVA Compass Stadium for Pride Night, presented by Top Dog Fireworks.
