The Houston Dash return to the pitch at Zions Bank Stadium for a Fourth of July showdown against OL Reign on Saturday night. Kickoff for the match is set for 9 p.m. CDT, and it will be streamed live via CBS All Access and Twitch.
The Dash played the first competitive game by a Houston professional sports team since March 10 when they played the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup hosts, Utah Royals FC, to a thrilling 3-3 draw on Tuesday morning. Forward Rachel Daly, who wore the captain’s armband, scored her first two goals of the year to give Houston a 2-1 lead before midfielder Shea Groom scored her first goal on her debut with Houston. Utah leveled the game in the final 10 minutes to earn the draw.
The Dash, led by goalkeeper Jane Campbell and Daly, will look to earn the club’s first victory on Independence Day as they take on a possession-oriented OL Reign featuring a pair of former Dash standouts in defender Amber Brooks and forward Sofia Huerta.
<strong>WHO:</strong> |
<p>Houston Dash vs. OL Reign </p> |
<strong>WHEN:</strong> |
<p>Saturday, July 4 – 9:00 p.m. CDT </p> |
<strong>WATCH:</strong> |
<p>CBS All Access & Twitch </p> |
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s game:
1. FIREWORKS ON THE FOURTH – The Dash made their Challenge Cup debut a thrilling one, rallying from an early deficit to take a 3-1 lead before allowing Utah to score twice late to escape with a draw. Forward Rachel Daly was the driving force, scoring twice for Houston and creating several dangerous chances for her teammates, but midfielders Kristie Mewis, Shea Groom and Christine Nairn along with forward Katie Stengel all had opportunities as well. With all eight teams coming off of shortened preseasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, goals have been frequent in the Challenge Cup. Teams have averaged nearly three goals per game through the tournament, and the Dash attack will look to continue that trend by lighting up the scoreboard on the Fourth of July.
2. FACING FAMILIAR FACES – When Houston and OL Reign take the field on Saturday night, the Dash players will likely see a pair of very familiar faces lining up opposite them. Defender Amber Brooks was Houston’s co-captain the last four seasons and was the team’s three-time Ironwoman of the Year before being traded to the Pacific Northwest club over the offseason. Likewise, midfielder Sofia Huerta spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Dash, scoring 10 goals and adding eight assists before heading to Reign alongside Brooks in the offseason.
3. OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A MOVE – Through three days of competition, the Dash sit in a six-way tie for third place in the NWSL Challenge Cup table. A win on Saturday night would help keep the women in orange near the top of the table and in position for a higher seed in the tournament’s knockout rounds. OL Reign have been a thorn in the Dash’s side in the past, but under head coach James Clarkson, the Dash took strides toward reversing that trend last year with two draws in three meetings. Clarkson will look for his first win over the Tacoma-based side on Saturday night.
