The Houston Dash enter the international break tied for the sixth and final playoff spot after a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Stadium this evening.
Houston took the lead in the 22nd minute after midfielder Kristie Mewis found Rachel Daly with a ball over the top of the Chicago backline. Daly outmuscled USWNT defender Tierna Davidson to the ball and beat the Chicago goalkeeper at the near post for her 29th goal in league play.
With today’s goal Daly surpassed Kealia Ohai Watt in the club record book for the most NWSL regular season career goals. The Dash captain has scored six goals against the Red Stars, the most against any NWSL team in her career.
Chicago equalized in the 77th minute after Dash defender Allysha Chapman conceded a foul outside the box. The Canadian international was forced to contain Mallory Pugh on a breakaway after the Red Stars won the ball near midfield. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell saved the ensuing free kick, but the rebound fell to Casey Krueger for the equalizer.
Dash defender Haley Hanson found Mewis at the far post in the 31st minute, but her sliding effort went wide. Mewis forced a save seven minutes later with an effort from inside the penalty box.
Campbell made a comfortable save in the opening minutes of the game after a Red Stars corner kick fell to Katie Johnson inside the box. Campbell was well positioned to control the ball and the 26-year-old finished with four saves.
Campbell opened the second half with a point-blank save to deny Pugh. The Dash shot stopper denied Pugh again two minutes later, this time punching away a shot from the edge of the box.
The Dash backline was under heavy pressure in the opening 15 minutes of the match as Houston defended three corner kicks. The Dash backline defended 11 corner kicks this evening, the most conceded this season.
The Dash will host Tigres Femenil in Houston on Sept. 19 in the first international friendly for the club at BBVA Stadium. Houston will return to league play on Sept. 26 on the road against Racing Louisville FC.
