HOUSTON (Aug. 1, 2024) – The Houston Dash earned their second consecutive victory in the NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup with a 2-0 triumph over Pachuca CF. Today’s match at Shell Energy Stadium was the final group stage match for both teams and the Dash finished with a 2-1-1 (WLD) record in the inaugural edition of the competition. The Kansas City Current earned nine points in group play and will advance to the semifinals on Aug. 6.
Houston took the lead in the 18th minute following a cross from midfielder Amanda West. The rookie found Andressa at the far post for her first goal of the tournament. This was the first goal for the Brazilian playmaker since she scored against Angel City FC on Oct. 8, 2023, at Shell Energy Stadium. West earned her first start of the competition today and tallied her second assist of the year.
Houston doubled their lead in the 61st minute following a corner kick from Andressa. Her cross into the box found Diana Ordoñez for her second goal of the tournament. Ordoñez currently leads the team with six goals scored in all competitions. The Mexican international wore the captain’s armband tonight, a first for the 22-year-old from Prosper, Texas.
Houston’s first threat of the evening came off a corner kick in the 13th minute. Andressa played a dangerous ball into the box, but Ordoñez’s header was off target.
Goalkeeper Heather Hinz was well positioned to handle Nina Nicosia”s shot in the 31st minute. The Dash goalkeeper made her professional debut on Sunday in Houston’s 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL. The rookie goalkeeper finished with six saves against Pachuca tonight and earned her first clean sheet.
Andressa forced a save in the 38th minute of the match and Ordoñez was well positioned to capitalize on the rebound, but her effort was blocked by the Pachuca goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
Houston was awarded a penalty kick in the 42nd minute after Paola Gonzalez committed a foul on Barbara Olivieri inside the box. Ordoñez took the ensuing penalty kick, but her shot was saved at the bottom corner of the right post.
Defender Avery Patterson hit the crossbar with a shot from inside the box in the opening minute of first half stoppage time. Houston’s final opportunity of the first half was a shot from Olivieri that was saved by Barreras.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came in the 60th minute after Ordoñez won a foul outside the box. Andressa took the ensuing free kick and nearly found the top corner of the near post. She forced the Pachuca backline to clear the ball, and the ensuing corner kick led to the second goal of the match.
The Dash returns to league play on Friday, Aug. 23 when they host the Orlando Pride at Shell Energy Stadium. Tickets for the match are available HERE.
