The Houston Dash lost to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday evening by a final score of 2-0 in NWSL Challenge Cup action.
Chicago struck first in the 32nd after forward Mallory Pugh snuck the ball across the Houston goalkeeper and into the near post after taking a shot near the far post.
Chicago later extended its lead in the 82nd minute after forward Bianca St. Georges passed a ball to Pugh, who finished at the far post to complete her brace.
Houston’s best chance of the first half came in the 29th minute after the Dash were able to move the ball up the field with ease. Forward Nichelle Prince took a defender one-on-one, but the shot sailed over the goal.
The Dash nearly had the tying goal in the 37th minute after a cross was coming into the box for captain Rachel Daly but a Chicago defender got in front of Daly and cleared the ball out of the box.
Four minutes into the second half Chicago had a goal waved off after Ella Stevens appeared to score, but was found to have used her arm to guide the ball into the net. The Dash had a goal of their own disallowed in the 52nd minute when the assistant referee ruled that forward Nichelle Prince was offside prior to putting a shot into the back of the net.
Houston had another great chance to score the equalizer in the 66th minute as a header from center back Katie Naughton that fell directly into the hands of Chicago goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
Four Dash players – defender Allysha Chapman, forward Rachel Daly, forward Nichelle Prince and forward Maria Sánchez – will step away to compete in international matches during the upcoming FIFA break before Houston returns to Challenge Cup play on April 15 at Kansas City. The Dash wrap up the Challenge Cup at home on Sunday, April 24 against Racing Louisville. Tickets for that match are available starting at just $10 at HoustonDash.com.
