he Houston Dash travel to North Carolina to take on the Courage for the second time this season. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. CT and fans can stream the game live on Paramount+ and on Twitch for international viewers
Sunday’s match will be the final match before the start of the FIFA International window for the Dash. The Dash are looking to bounce back from a loss last Sunday to Portland at home. This was Houston’s first loss in six games and snapped the longest unbeaten run in team history. Houston currently sits in fifth place heading into Sunday’s match with a 3-2-3 record. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell is tied for second least goals allowed in league play with seven.
The Courage are coming off a last-minute victory over the reigning NWSL champions, the Washington Spirit on June 11. North Carolina’s Kaliegh Kurtz scored a goal in the second minute of stoppage time for the victory. Kurtz’s game-winner sealed the Courage’s second victory of the season and the Courage look to climb the standings after a challenging start to the season with a 2-3-1 record heading into Sunday’s match.
Houston and North Carolina played to a 1-1 draw in the first meeting this season at PNC Stadium on May 29. Captain Rachel Daly, who made her 100th career regular season appearance in this game, scored the equalizer in the first half.
Here are three key points ahead of Sunday's doubleheader:
- FINAL GAME BEFORE BREAK: The Dash will send seven players off to their respective national team’s following Sunday’s match. Houston’s Canadian trio of Nichelle Prince, Sophie Schmidt and Allysha Chapman will join the Canadian Women’s National Team. Maria Sanchez will join the Mexico Women’s National Team. Both nations are preparing to compete in the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Championship tournament held in Monterrey, Mexico in July. Michelle Alozie will join the Nigerian Women’s National Team for the Africa Women Cup of Nations group stage. Michaela Abam will join the Cameroonian Women’s National Team who is also competing in the group state of the Africa Women Cup of Nations. Dash forward Rachel Daly has been named to England’s roster for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament and has been with the Lionesses since June 4.
- ROAD WARRIORS: The Dash are unbeaten on the road this season and are currently on their longest unbeaten run away from home in club history. In 2022, the Dash are 2-0-2 away from PNC Stadium so far this season with wins over Portland and Kansas City on the road. Houston has outscored its opponents 5-1 on the road and have posted two clean sheets. Against North Carolina, the Dash are unbeaten with a 3-0-1 record in the last four meetings. Houston earned its first win at WakeMed Soccer Park in July 2021 after Gabby Sieler scored the game-winner in the 62nd minute of the match to secure three points at WakeMed Soccer Park.
