The Houston Dash face OL Reign at Cheney Stadium later today in the second meeting of the regular season between both teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CT and fans can stream the match live on Paramount+ or internationally on Twitch.
Gabby Seiler scored Houston’s lone goal last Sunday in the 1-1 draw with NJ/Ny Gotham FC at BBVA Stadium. That was Seiler’s second goal of the season and the midfielder left the match shortly after finding the back of the net out of precaution. Seiler will be available for selection later today as Houston looks to claim the regular seasons series against the Reign.
Jasmyne Spencer and Katie Naughton led Houston to a 2-0 victory over OL Reign at BBVA Stadium on July 2, the first regular season meeting between both teams this season. Earning the full three points later today would give Houston the regular season series and the team could finish as high as fourth place in the league table.
Today’s match will likely be the final game in charge for OL Reign interim head coach Sam Laity. The club announced on July 15 that Laura Harvey would return to the NWSL after she finishes her stint with the U.S Women’s National Team. Harvey returns to the NWSL after departing in 2017 to join U.S. Soccer for tournaments with both the senior women’s national team and youth national teams.
Here are the three key points ahead of today’s game:
- HOUSTON REACH MIDWAY POINT IN THE THICK OF PLAYOFF PUSH: Houston reached the midway point of the 2021 regular season in the sixth and final playoff spot. A single victory could bring the Dash toward the top of the table as three points separate Gotham FC in second place and the Orlando Pride at seventh place. Dash head coach James Clarkson emphasized the need for points at BBVA Stadium earlier this month and the Dash look to deliver with three of their next four games at home. Houston has also earned key points on the road and enter Saturday’s game with a 2-4-0 record away from BBVA Stadium. The Dash look to add another road victory later tonight and navigate the final handful of matches without their full roster. Players that participated in the Olympic games will return to the team later this month as Houston look to qualify for the postseason.
- DASH CELEBRATE FIVE OLYMPIANS WHO WON METALS IN TOKYO: Five Houston Dash players will return to BBVA Stadium later this month with a medal from the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Jane Campbell and Kristie Mewis won the bronze medal with the USWNT after defeating Australia on Thursday. Allysha Chapman, Nichelle Prince and Sophi Schmidt earned the gold medal with Canada after a penalty shootout triumph over Sweden on Friday morning. Canada’s best finish prior to this tournament was back-to-back bronze medals after the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games.
- OL REIGN BOUNCE BACK AFTER FIRST MEETING: OL Reign struggled offensively to begin the regular season and since being held scoreless on July 2 the Reign have scored seven goals in their last four games. The Reign had only scored five goals in the previous 11 games. Bethany Belcer has scored three goals in that stretch and the 24-year-old will look for service from former Dash attacker Sofia Huerta and Wales international Jessica Fishlock. OL Reign enter the game one point behind the Dash and look to build on their current form prior to the arrival of Laura Harvey.
