MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The Houston Dash host the newest franchise in the league today as Utah Royals FC visit BBVA Compass for the first time.
MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Houston looks to build on an opening day draw with the Chicago Red Stars last Sunday. MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">ItMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> was the first game under head coach Vera PauwMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> and rookie MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">forward MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Kimberly Keever scored MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">her debut. The second-round draft pick was one of four rookies who earned their first startMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on SundayMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. In total, seven players made their MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">debutMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">sMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> with the club, which reflected the substantial turnover in the offseason.
MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The backline featured MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">several MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">familiar faces as MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">goalkeeper MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Jane Campbell anchored a defense that included team captain Amber Brooks, two internationals in Rachel Daly and Janine Van Wyk, and Kristie MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">MewisMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> who made her MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">first start at MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">outside back for the club.
MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Utah concludes a two-game road trip after opening the season with a 1-1 draw in OrlandoMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on SaturdayMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">. Laura Harvey’s squad took an early lead as Diana Matheson found MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">GunnhildurMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">JonsdottirMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US"> at the near post for the first goal in franchise history. MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">It MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">was Matheson’s first game since the 2016 NWSL Championship due to an ACL injury she suffered last January. Orlando's Marta converted a penalty kick later in the first half which prevented Utah from earning their first victory of the season.
MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The core of Utah’s roster played for FC Kansas City last seasonMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">,MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">including U.S. Women’s National Team MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">co-captain Becky MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">SauerbrunnMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">, USWNT defender Kelly O’Hara, and Canadian midfielders Diana Matheson and Desiree Scott. This will be the first of three meetings this year as Houston visits Rio Tinto MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">SMSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">tadium MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on May 19 and Utah returns to MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">the Bayou City MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">on Aug. 5.
MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">The league will MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">take a two-week break until MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">mid-April MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">for MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">FIFA MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">competitions, including MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">a friendly between Campbell, MSFontService, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;" xml:lang="EN-US">Sauerbrunn and the USWNT against Bianca Henninger and the Mexican Women’s National Team on April 7 at BBVA Compass Stadium. For tickets, visit BBVACompassStadium.com for additional information.
