After two match days, Houston Dash players have scored five goals, registered two assists and each of the seven players has made an appearance for their national team in their respective contests. The USWNT, Canada and Brazil have qualified to the knockout round after back-to-back victories for each country. The final group games are scheduled for Tuesday and Australia looks to qualify to the next round against Zimbabwe.
Carli Lloyd scored the game-winning goal on Saturday in a crucial match vs. France. That was the second goal of the tournament for the USWNT co-captain. Carli is now the second player to score multiple goals at three separate Olympic Games. Morgan Brian set up the final goal in the USWNT 2-0 victory over New Zealand on Aug. 3. The midfielder found Alex Morgan in the box and beat the goalkeeper with a shot inside the near post from a tight angle.
Janine Beckie has scored three goals in two games and her first was a record-breaking goal. She scored within 20 seconds against Australia on Aug. 3, a record for the Olympic tournament regardless of gender. Beckie leads Canada in goals this year with nine. Defender Allysha Chapman has made two appearances coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Elsewhere, Lydia Williams had a solid performance for Australia against Germany last Saturday, the match finished in a 2-2- draw. The Dash goalkeeper faced 23 shots with nine of them on target.
Andressa had an assist in Brazil’s first game and the midfielder’s service to the forwards generated the fourth goal in Saturday’s 5-1 victory over Sweden. Defender Poliana has made two appearances in the tournament, both as a second half substitute.
The national team players are expected to return at the end of the month and their first match at BBVA Compass Stadium should be on Sept. 3 against Alex Morgan and the Orlando Pride. Fans can purchase a special Club and Country 2-Pack for matches against Orlando, Boston or Seattle that feature Morgan, Hope Solo and Kim Little. For more information, visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/Tickets.
