The Houston Dash embark on their fourth season in the NWSL this Saturday against the Chicago Red Stars at 1 p.m. CT. at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets for the match are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com or the BBVA Compass Stadium box office.
Fans can also follow the action via a live and on-demand stream on go90, a fully ad-supported, mobile streaming service that announced a multiyear partnership with the league earlier this week. International fans can watch the match on NWSLSoccer.com and via the NWSL iOS app.
Houston looks to build on a strong finish from the previous year to claim the first playoff berth in franchise history. To do so, Houston will have to break down a Chicago defense anchored by the starting USWNT goalkeeper in Alyssa Naeher and two USWNT defenders in Casey Short and Julie Johnson. Additionally, Houston’s new backline will be tasked with containing USWNT forward Christen Press, Sofia Huerta and the midfield duo of Vanessa DiBernardo and Danielle Colaprico.
Houston won the season series last year with a 3-1 victory at BBVA Compass Stadium, the first victory for Houston in the series, and a 1-1 draw in their visit to the Windy City. Houston improved their record against Chicago to 1-3-4 in 2016. This will be the first of three matches against Chicago and the two teams meet again in less than a month as Houston visits Chicago in May for their first appearance on Lifetime’s NWSL Game of the Week.
Head coach Randy Waldrum signed three defensive players this offseason beginning with the former captain of the Brazilian Women’s National Team, Bruna Benites, the captain of the South African Women’s National Team, Janine Van Wyk, and former Bayern Munich defender Claire Falknor. Additionally, Waldrum drafted Jane Campbell, the No. 15 overall pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft, a goalkeeper from Stanford who made her USWNT debut on Sunday in a 5-1 victory over Russia at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Houston’s arsenal includes forward Kealia Ohai, who scored a career-best 11 goals last season and England international Rachel Daly who finished her rookie season with four goals and four assists. Additionally, the front line features two bronze medalists from the 2016 Olympic in forwards Janine Beckie and Nichelle Prince of Canada. The midfield is anchored by USWNT midfielder Morgan Brian and Brazilian midfielder Andressa, who competed in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Houston features one of the most diverse rosters in the league with international players from Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, Ireland and South Africa.
