Five of Houston’s national team players were back in action Sunday with their respective national teams.
Dash forward Rachel Daly and England kicked off the day of international matches against Spain in the Arnold Clark Cup. Daly, who anchors the backline for the Lionesses, played a full 90 minutes after earning the start. The Harrogate Native helped England earn a point against Spain in the second match of the tournament.
The Canadian Women’s National Team, who kicked off the Arnold Clark Cup against England, was also back in action on Sunday with Dash forward Nichelle Prince earning the start against Germany. Midfielder Sophie Schmidt defender Allysha Chapman were available off the bench.
Canada took the lead in the seventh minute after scoring on a corner kick. Chapman was subbed on in the 55th minute. Later in the second half, Prince was subbed off in the 70th minute and Schmidt saw her first action of 2022 after coming on in the 77th minute to help preserve the 1-0 lead and secure the win for Canada to earn a crucial three points and take the top spot in the standings.
Mexico returned to CONCACAF Women’s Championship Qualifiers group play by facing Antigua and Barbuda in the Dominican Republic. Dash forward María Sánchez earned the start on her birthday and tallied two crucial assists in Mexico’s 8-0 win. Mexico now stands at the top of Group A with the win.
Dash forward Michelle Alozie and Nigeria will face Cote d'Ivoire on Feb. 23 in Abidjan for the second leg of the Africa Women Cup of Nations tournament.
The Arnold Clark Cup will come to a close on Wednesday, Feb. 23 with Daly and England taking on Germany at 1:30 p.m. CT. Chapman, Schmidt and Prince will take on Spain with a chance to win the tournament beginning at 8:30 a.m. CT. Sánchez will return to Houston this week to continue preparing to for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.
