The Houston Dash return home following the international break to host the Kansas City Current for 713 Night at PNC Stadium Tickets for the match start at $7 and fans can enjoy $1 hotdogs and $3 beers throughout the match. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT and fans can purchase tickets for Friday’s game here.
Both teams return from international play on Friday and this will be the second time this season that both teams square off, but the fourth meeting of the year across all competitions. Houston defeated Kansas City 2-0 on May 8 at Children’s Mercy Park in the first meeting of the regular season. Dash forward Rachel Daly converted a penalty kick late in the first half to give Houston the lead heading into the half. Midfielder Bri Visalli extended the Dash lead in the sixth minute of second half stoppage time for the victory and to secure the first points of the regular season. The win also marked the first career win for acting head coach Sarah Lowdon.
The Dash are coming off a thrilling 4-3 road win over the North Carolina Courage on June 19 at WakeMed Soccer Park. Houston scored the fastest three goal sequence in Dash history across a 4:07 stretch, breaking a record set during Challenge Cup play earlier this year that featured three goals in nine minutes. Forward Maria Sanchez scored the equalizer in the 15th minute for Houston after North Carolina took the early lead. Sanchez became the first player in Dash history to contribute to three goals (one goal and two assists) in a single regular season game.
Midfielder Elizabeth Eddy scored back-to-back goals to open the second half and notch her first career brace. Forward Nichelle Prince scored the eventual game winner in the 51st minute and that was also her team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Kansas City is coming off a 2-2 draw with Chicago on June 18. The Current took the lead early in the match however back-to-back goals from Chicago to start the second half put Kansas City down 2-1. In the 68th minute Cece Kizer, who was traded to the Current from Racing Louisville FC on June 9, scored the equalizer to force a draw at home.
Here are three key points ahead of Sunday's match:
- NEW FACES: Houston added five new players to its roster including forwardEbony Salmon. The England native was acquired via trade with Racing Louisville over the international break. Salmon played five matches with Racing Louisville this season and made two starts in four appearances during Challenge Cup play. The 21-year-old striker made her NWSL debut against the Dash last season. Salmon went on to lead Racing Louisville FC in scoring last season. Houston also added four national team replacement players to its roster on Tuesday. Midfielder Meagan Rosa returns to the Dash after signing with the team in 2022 as a national team replacement player. Defender Machaela George and midfielders Haley Berg and Kayla Hamric reported for their first training session with the team earlier in the week.
- KEEPING THE MOMENTUM GOING: The Dash currently sit in fourth place in league play with a 4-2-3 record and three points behind San Diego, who is in first place. Houston earned 11 points in the last six games and got off to thee best start in club history through nine games with 15 points. The Dash are one of two teams to be undefeated on the road this year. With the 4-3 win over North Carolina on June 19, the Dash earned its first come from behind victory this season.
- KANSAS CITY ADD DEPTH: The Current added two new players to its roster following a trade with Racing Louisville FC on June 9. Cece Kizer, who played for the Dash during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and Addysin Merrick both returned to their hometown club. Kizer made an instant impact on the Kansas City attack in her first start for her new team and scored the equalizer against Chicago. Merrick made her Kansas City debut in that match as well, coming on as a substitute in the 25th minute. Kansas City currently sits in 10th place heading into this weekend’s slate of games with a 2-4-3 record and nine points.
