The Houston Dash are off to the best start in club history following a 0-0 draw against the Washington Spirit at Audi Field. Houston remains unbeaten to start the 2023 NWSL Regular Season.
Houston’s defensive unit starred in the draw, highlighted by goalkeeper Jane Campbell and defender Allysha Chapman. Campbell earned her second clean sheet of the season and made four saves. Chapman finished the night 7-for-7 on successful tackles.
Houston almost took the lead in the eighth minute after forward Courtney Petersen crossed the ball into the box toward forward Diana Ordóñez. Ordóñez’s header was blocked by Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury. The Spirit defense was able to clear the ball from out in front of the goal before forward Maria Sánchez was able to get to the ball for the second chance.
Petersen and Ordóñez nearly connected again in the 15th minute. Petersen crossed the ball from the left flank into the far post for Ordóñez who narrowly missed connecting with the ball.
Goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a key save near the 20-minute mark after USWNT and Washington forward Trinity Rodman was able to get in behind Houston’s backline.
Salmon had a shot on goal in the 33rd minute from outside the 18-yard box that sailed just over the cross bar.
Four minutes later Salmon and Ordóñez almost linked up for a goal after Salmon found space in the box and found a wide open Ordóñez whose shot was directly to the Washington goalkeeper.
The best chance of the first half came during second half stoppage time when Sánchez beat a defender by chipping the ball over her head clearing up space for her to run toward goal. Sánchez’s cross into the box was slightly behind two Houston attackers.
In the 58th minute The Dash attack forced Kingsbury to make a save. Sánchez was looking for forward Ordóñez on the far post, but Kingsbury intercepted the ball before the Mexican international duo could connect.
In the 70th minute, midfielder and captain Sophie Schmidt, nearly scored her first goal of the season with a header off a corner kick. Schmidt’s header was deflected by Kingsbury and hit the cross bar and out in what turned out to be Houston’s best chance of the second half.
