The Houston Dash travel to Illinois for the second time this season to face the Chicago Red Stars at 7 p.m. on Saturday. It will be their third and final meeting of the regular season.
Houston looks to extend a two-game unbeaten run that began with a 3-2 win at Sky Blue FC last Saturday and continued on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw at home with Portland Thorns FC. The Dash salvaged the draw thanks to FW Kyah Simon's second half strike, her first goal with the club. The Australian international scored with a low shot to the far post in the second half to put the Dash on level terms. Simon is the fifth player to score for Houston this season.
Canadian international Allysha Chapman rejoined Houston prior to Wednesday's game after being acquired in a trade with the North Carolina Courage. The defender made the gameday roster but did not make her season debut with the Dash.
Wednesday's draw elevated Houston to seventh place in the table and three points away from the fourth spot. Houston will look to finish this stretch of three matches in eight days unbeaten and to pick up their second straight road result.
The Red Stars seek a win to snap a four-game winless streak that includes a 2-0 loss to the Orlando Pride at home and three 1-1 draws. Red Stars GK Alyssa Naeher played a large role in maintaining a 1-1 draw with the North Carolina Courage last Saturday after she set a new club record with 12 saves. The U.S. Women's National Team goalkeeper faced 15 shots on goal and 42 shots overall.
This will be the first time both teams will face each other with their full roster available for selection. Simon and the 2017 NWSL MVP Sam Kerr missed the last encounter due to the 2018 AFC Women's Asia Cup. Additionally, Houston was without FW Kealia Ohai who made her season debut in late April at Orlando.
Houston will remain on the road following this game as they make their first trip to Utah to take on Utah Royals FC at Rio Tinto Stadium at 2:30 p.m. next Saturday, May 19, for the Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week.
The Dash return to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23 to host Seattle Reign FC for 80s Night. Tickets for the match start at $19 and are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com.
