The Houston Dash look to build on four positive results as they host the Washington Spirit on Saturday for their final meeting of the regular season. This is Houston’s second match in a three-game homestretch which culminates next week against the Boston Breakers.
Janine Beckie scored her first goal of the season in Houston’s 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns FC last Saturday. With the draw, interim head coach Omar Morales improved his record to 2-2-2 since taking over the team in late May. Bruna Benites made her second consecutive appearance after recovering from a MCL sprain in her left knee.
This will be the third and final meeting of the regular season between both clubs. Houston split the first two meetings with a 1-0 victory at the Maryland SoccerPlex in late April and a 2-0 loss on June 3 in Houston’s second visit to Maryland.
Washington has won one match in its last four games and will seek its first victory on the road this weekend. The Spirit managed a 2-2 draw with the Orlando Pride with two goals from Mallory Pugh last weekend. This will be Pugh’s first visit to Houston and Washington’s only trip to Texas this season. Canadian National Team goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe will face her CNT teammates in Janine Beckie and Nichelle Prince for the first time in Texas.
With a victory, Houston would take the season series against Washington for the first time in club history. Houston fell to Washington twice last season as the Spirit were en route to a trip to the NWSL Championship.
