The Houston Dash will travel to the Pacific Northwest for the second time this month to take on OL Reign. Houston enters the match coming off a 2-0 win over Chicago Red Stars in 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group play on Wednesday, May 3.
Midfielder Bárbara Olivieri scored her first career NWSL goal in the win over Chicago. Olivieri grew up in Katy, Texas, played high school soccer at Tompkins High School and starred at Texas A&M University. Olivieri joined the Dash during the offseason following time in Mexico with Rayadas de Monterrey. Forward Diana Ordóñez converted from the spot for her first goal of 2023 UKG Challenge Cup play in the 72nd minute.
Saturday’s match will be the first time Dash head coach Sam Laity returns to Seattle to face his former club. Laity spent more than a decade as an assistant coach for OL Reign and had been with the club since its inception.
OL Reign sits in second place in the league standings behind Portland Thorns. The Reign are unbeaten through the last four games. On April 29, OL Reign played to a 2-2 draw against Racing Louisville FC in Kentucky. After trailing by two goals at the half, the Reign came back to steal a point in dramatic fashion. In the 90th minute defender Alana Cook and forward Jordyn Huitema combined for the equalizer.
The Dash return home to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, May 12 to host the Portland at 7:30 p.m. for a rematch of the first meeting of the season. Houston traveled to Portland on Friday, April 14 and forced a 1-1 draw in Providence Park. The Dash became the first team to score at Providence Park this season.
