The Houston Dash return to action this afternoon as they travel to the Midwest to face Kansas City NWSL at 1:00 p.m. CT at Legends Field. Fans can follow the action live on Paramount+ and international fans can stream the match live on Twitch.
This match will be Houston’s second game in Kansas City this year, and third against Kansas City NWSL. The Dash look to build on their 2-1 victory over Alyssa Naeher, Kealia Watt and the Chicago Red Stars last Saturday at home. That was Houston’s first victory of the regular season and the Dash look to replicate that for the first time on the road. Houston is led by captain Rachel Daly, who scored in both games against Kansas City this year, midfielder Kristie Mewis, who scored a brace in the last matchup in Kansas City on April 26, and midfielder Shea Groom who looks to score her third goal of the year.
Today’s game is the final outing prior to the next international break. Dash goalkeeper and co-captain Jane Campbell and Mewis will return to BBVA Stadium with the U.S. Women’s National Team to take on Portugal and Jamaica in a pair of friendlies on June 10 and June 13. For tickets and additional information visit BBVAStadium.com.
The Dash will also see their three Canadian players, Allysha Chapman, Sophie Schmidt and Nichelle Prince report for training camp prior to the Olympic games and miss Sunday’s match in Kansas City. In total, the Dash could play the remainder of the summer slate without six international players.
The Dash return to league action on Sunday, June 20 when they make their inaugural visit to Lynn Family Stadium to face Racing Louisville FC. Houston return to BBVA Stadium on Saturday, June 26 to face the Orlando Pride. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDash.com.
Here are the three key points ahead of today’s game:
1. DASH LOOK FOR SECOND VICTORY IN KC: Houston will travel to Kansas City for the second time this year. Their last matchup was less than a month ago when Kansas City scored a last-minute goal on May 23 to earn a 2-2 result and deny Houston their first victory of the regular season. The Dash defeated Kansas City 3-1 on April 26 at Children’s Mercy Park to earn their first victory of the year. Dash captain Rachel Daly and the Dash will look for their second victory against KC this afternoon and finish with a spot in the top half of the league table prior to the international break.
2. NEW FACES TAKE THE FIELD: Houston acquired two new players in the past seven days that will be available to play in today’s match. Former OL Reign forward Jasmyne Spencer joined the Dash and the veteran attacker is in her eighth NWSL season. Mexican international and Tigres forward María Sánchez also touched down in Houston on Wednesday after leading Tigres UANL Femenil to their second Liga MX Championship on May 31. “We need to be a little bit more dynamic in the attacking third, and we feel [they] can bring that. We're excited to get them in,” said Dash Head Coach James Clarkson.
3. LAST MATCH BEFORE TWO-WEEK FIFA BREAK: As the Tokyo 2020 Olympics approach this summer, several national teams prepare with training camps and international friendlies from June 8 to 13. Eight Dash players are set to depart for international duty during the FIFA break, impacting the number of players available for Sunday’s game. The list includes USWNT’s GK Jane Campbell & MF Kristie Mewis, Canadians DF Allysha Chapman, FW Nichelle Prince and MF Sophie Schmidt, Iceland’s MF Andrea Hauksdottir, Jamaica’s MF Deneisha Blackwood and Daly with the Lionesses. Houston’s Canadians joined Canada on Saturday, June 5, and Blackwood and Hauksdottir also joined their respective teams over the weekend.
