The Houston Dash (6-9-4, 22 points) host Seattle Reign FC (7-6-6, 27 points), the reigning two-time NWSL Shield winner, in their final match of the regular season. Randy Waldrum’s squad aims for their first victory in the series after falling to Laura Harvey’s club in six consecutive meetings.
The Reign need a victory and for Western New York to lose against the Boston Breakers on Saturday to secure a spot in the playoffs. The outfit from the Pacific Northwest is seeking to enter the playoffs with back-to-back victories after defeating the league-leading Washington Spirit 2-0 on Sept. 11 in Seattle. Beverly Yanez scored her second goal of the season in the 27th minute when she got on the end of Megan Rapinoe’s cross at the near post. Keelin Winters scored the final goal of the game in the 78th minute with a strike near the penalty spot for her sixth goal of the season.
Jessica Fishlock and the 2016 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, Kim Little, anchor Seattle’s midfield. The Scottish midfielder—also the 2014 NWSL MVP and two-time NWSL Best XI member—has scored five goals and added two assists this season after finishing last season with 10 goals and seven assists. Three of those goals came in a 3-0 victory over Houston at BBVA Compass Stadium. Other impact players include Rumi Utsugi, Nahomi Kawasumi and Rapinoe, who have combined for five goals and three assists this season.
In the last meeting, a second-half goal from Havana Solaun gave Seattle Reign FC a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash on June 12 at Memorial Stadium.
A special Bud Light Beer Garden bundle is available for this match that offers a ticket to Sunday's match and one to the NWSL Championship on Oct. 9 for $30. Visit NWSLChampionship.com for additional information.
