The Houston Dash finished the 2016 NWSL season winning three out of their last five games. How will this momentum carry over into 2017 as the club reloads for its fourth year in the National Women’s Soccer League?
The answer begins in the locker room. With limited draft picks, the majority of offseason acquisitions will come from the transfer market. Head coach Randy Waldrum said throughout the season that he was happy with the players available, thus the limited activity in the transfer market during the regular season. The one area Waldrum does want to address is the backline.
“We didn’t make a lot of moves for a reason,” Waldrum said. “This is a good group and we definitely want to keep the core together. We have very good veterans on this team and a great group of young players that have shown the type of impact they can bring to the table. The next step is addressing the backline, we could use more depth there so that is one area we will focus on.”
The Dash reinforced their defense prior to the first game of the year by trading a second round draft pick in the 2017 NWSL College Draft to the Western New York Flash for Rebecca Moros and signing Cami Privett. Offensively, the club signed Caity Heap, Denise O’Sullivan and Chioma Ubogagu to bolster the attack. Additionally, Amber Brooks was brought into the club via a trade with Seattle Reign FC.
With so many new faces the task of unifying the group fell to Kealia Ohai. The University of North Carolina product was tasked with the captain’s armband for all but two games. For Ohai the key to making the playoffs begins with progression from the young players and the opportunity for the full squad to train together more regularly with less international commitments.
“I definitely think we have a really young team. I remember when I was a rookie, it’s difficult. It’s difficult to come into this league and be professional all the time. It’s just a different level of play, so I definitely think that just confidence wise, our rookies and our younger players are going to be so much better next year,” Ohai said. “I also think that if we can get people back that we have, we’re going to be incredible from the start of the season. If we played the way we did the last 10 games all season, we’re in the playoffs.”
The Dash finished with a 4-3-3 record over the last 10 games and scored 23 goals during that span. The strong finish followed six consecutive losses by identical 1-0 score lines that left the club devoid of confidence. Ohai credits the turnaround to the competitive spirit found in the locker room and she wants to build on that by amplifying the grit and must-win attitude on the team.
“I’ve said it all season, but it’s a mentality thing I think next year we want to come in tougher mentally,” Ohai said. “We have to say ‘I’m not going to get scored on when we’re winning two to zero, three times.’ It’s just not good enough.”
Carli Lloyd shared Ohai’s point of view after the final game of the regular season. The USWNT co-captain stressed that the defensive struggles fall on the entire team, not just the backline.
“I think [we need to focus on] closing out games. There have been multiple games where we’ve been ahead and could have kept a clean sheet, and I think that’s first and foremost. That starts with forwards, it’s not only the defense’s job, it’s collectively a team effort,” Lloyd said. “I think [closing out games], and continuing to have the mentality to compete. We have to compete every single day. I think we have to push each other in training. I think overall, just be a bit better. We have to win more games at home, and make the playoffs.”
With the NWSL regular season in the books, the focus shifts to the NWSL playoffs and championship. The first semifinal is scheduled for Friday evening between Ali Krieger and the Washington Spirit and Christen Press and the Chicago Red Stars. The final ticket to the NWSL Championship will be decided on Sunday as Tobin Heath and the Portland Thorns host the NWSL Golden Boot winner, Lynn Williams, and the Western New York Flash. BBVA Compass Stadium will host the NWSL Championship on Oct. 9 and a special Bud Light Beer Garden package is available at NWSLChampionship.com.
