The Houston Dash were held scoreless this evening in their 3-0 loss to Kansas City Current at PNC Stadium. This is the first match of the year where Houston was held scoreless and Houston is now 1-1-0 when conceding two goals in the first half.
Kansas City struck first in the second minute off a corner kick from defender Haley Mace. The corner kick found defender Taylor Leach at the back post for a volley that beat the Dash goalkeeper at the opposite post.
Kansas City doubled its lead in the 28th minute following a goal from forward Kristen Hamilton. Forward Elyse Bennet found Hamilton unmarked at the far post for a one-touch finish at the edge of the six-yard box. The final goal of the match came off the left foot of Lo’eau LaBonta in the 60th minute after she found space behind the Dash backline to force a one-on-one with the Houston goalie.
Midfielder Makamae Gomera-Stevens earned her first start of the year and she generated the first opportunity for Houston in the 10th minute. The second year forward hit the top of the crossbar with her effort, narrowly missing the back of the net for the equalizer.
The Dash took another shot on goal in the 36th minute after forward Nichelle Prince found forward Rachel Daly inside the box, but Kansas City’s goalkeeper was able block the shot.
Dash head coach James Clarkson made two changes at the start of the second half. Defender Ally Prisock, who returned from loan in France, made her 2022 debut after coming on for defender Haley Hanson. Rookie forward Ryan Gareis also entered the game to start the second half and replaced Gomera-Stevens.
Houston’s best chance of the second half came in the 64th minute when forward Maria Sanchez played a ball into the box for Daly. The Dash captain created space for a shot, but her effort hit the far post.
The Dash return to action on Saturday in Bridgeview, Illinois against the Chicago Red Stars. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and fans can follow the action in the U.S. on Paramount +. International fans can stream the match on the official NWSL Twitch channel.
