Saturday’s match will wrap up a grueling eight-day schedule for both teams in the central division. Houston looks to split the series with Chicago and earn a crucial three points on the road.
Houston fell to Kansas City 3-0 at home on Wednesday night. Kansas City took an early lead in the second minute after a corner kick from defender Haley Mace connected Taylor Leach in the box. The Current added another goal 26 minutes later and took the 2-0 lead into the half. KCC’s Lo’eau LaBonta scored KCC’s final goal in the 60th minute. This marks the first time the Dash were held scoreless in 2022. The Dash are now 1-1-0 when conceding two goals in the first 45 minutes of the match.
Second year midfielder Makamae Gomera-Stevens and defender Julia Ashley both earned their first starts of the year against the Current. Gomera-Stevens and Ashley were second half substitutes in Houston’s 3-2 win over Racing Louisville FC on March 25 and helped spark the historic comeback to give the Dash its first win of 2022.
The last time the two teams met, Chicago took the 3-1 win over the Dash at PNC Stadium. Houston defender Katie Naughton scored the opening goal of the match off a set piece from forward Rachel Daly. Naughton tapped the ball in as she was falling toward the far post and converted, giving Houston the 1-0 lead 19 minutes in. Chicago scored the equalizer midway through the half and scored two more in the second half to earn three points on the road.
Chicago is coming off a scoreless draw against Racing Louisville FC on Wednesday night. Chicago is now 1-1-1 in Challenge Cup Play. Against Louisville, Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh had an early attempt to give the Red Stars the lead in the sixth minute, but the shot sailed wide past the far post.
The Dash will be back in action on April 15 as they travel to Kansas City to take on the Current. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. CT. Houston will return home on April 24 to close out group play of 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup against Racing Louisville FC.
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday's match:
- CRUCIAL POINTS ON THE ROAD: One of Houston’s struggles last season was earning points on the road. In 2022, the Dash were able to earn three points in its first road trip of the tournament after earning a come from behind victory over Racing Louisville FC on March 25. It won’t come easy, the Dash have never won a game on the road in Chicago, but have never lost road match in Challenge Cup play and enter with a 2-0-1 record all time.
- SÁNCHEZ RETURNS TO CHICAGO: Dash forward María Sánchez returns to Chicago on Saturday for the first time since departing the NWSL at the end of the 2019 regular season. Since then, the forward went on to win the 2021 Clasura tournament with Tigres UANL Femenil in Mexico. The forward finished with three goals in her time in LigaMX Femenil. Sánchez signed with the Dash on Jan. 6 and recently led the team to their first victory of the season, a 3-2 triumph over Louisville on March 25.
- CHICAGO’S OFFENSE: Chicago has seen offensive production from every position group this year. Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh has created a lot of havoc on opposing defenses and leads Chicago with two goals scored. Pugh has an average of 1.16 expected goals per game which is tied for eighth amongst all NWSL players and tied with her teammate Arin Wright who is a defender for the Red Stars. Wright converted the penalty kick that was awarded to Chicago against Houston on March 20. Midfielder Vanessa DiBernado scored Chicago’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to Kansas City.
