Rachel Daly was named the NWSL Player of the Month after scoring four goals and leading the club to a 3-1-2 record in May, the league announced today.
The forward scored her first goal of the month in Houston's 3-2 victory over Sky Blue on May 5. Daly's shot from outside the box was mishandled by the Sky Blue goalkeeper as it snuck under the crossbar at the near post to level the match at 2-2.
A week later, Daly scored her second goal of the month in a 2-2 draw with the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park. Kyah Simon found Daly in open space behind the Red Stars defense and the English international dribbled into the box and beat Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher with a low curling shot to the far post to open the scoring.
Daly was pivotal in both of Houston’s wins last week, guiding Houston to its first two victories at BBVA Compass Stadium this season. On Wednesday, her free kick in the 68th minute set up the game-tying goal in Houston’s come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Seattle Reign FC. That was the first victory for Houston over Seattle in the series, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Four days later, Daly recorded her first professional brace to lead Houston past the Washington Spirit, 3-2, and netted the eventual game-winner when she outran the Spirit defense to tap a pass from Thembi Kgatlana into an empty net. With the two wins, the Dash moved up to fifth place in the NWSL table, two points shy of a playoff spot.
The forward leads the team with four goals and is one away from matching her career high of five, set last year.
Daly and the Dash host the first-place North Carolina Courage at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at BBVA Compass Stadium for Houston's annual Pups to the Pitch match, presented by Houston Methodist. Two- and four-legged fans can watch the match with a special Dash Pups to the Pitch ticket package that includes a ticket to the game, Dash doggie bowl and access to the Bud Light Bunker and Doggie break areas throughout the stadium. For additional information, visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/pups.
