Houston Dash goalkeeperJane Campbelland forward Rachel Dalywere named as team captains ahead of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, the club announced today.
“They have been outstanding throughout the preseason – they both have great experience,” said Head Coach James Clarkson. “They lead in different ways and have the respect of the team, and I think they’ll play a big part when we get to Utah.”
A three-year veteran, Campbell earned2019 Most Valuable Player and Player’s Player of the Year honors after doubling her clean sheet record with six and playing every minute of every game with 24 appearances last season. The 24-year old logged 2,160 minutes and was voted by her teammates as the Player’s Player of the Year for the second consecutive year after finishing with 71 saves.
“I am super honored – this team is so special. The organization is so special, and I’m honored to be paired with Rachel,” said Campbell. “I think this group will really perform as one unit and I hope people see that in Utah. I’m honored to be a voice for the team.”
The Georgia native has earned four team awards since joining the club, which include being voted the Player’s Player of the year and winning the Unsung Hero award in 2017. Campbell was the youngest goalkeeper called into the U.S. women’s training campwhen she was named to the squad on January of 2013 at the age of 17.The goalkeeper made her senior international debut in Houston during a 5-1 USWNT victory over Russia at BBVA Stadium in April 2017. Since then, Campbell has earned two more caps for the national team, including an appearance in a 6-2 win over Mexico in Houston in April of 2018. She was most recently called in to the national team in December 2019.
Daly returns to the Dash for her fifthyear with the cluband finished the 2019 NWSL season with five goals – tying for the club lead in goals. She scoredthree game-winning goals in 2019 and played a key role in Houston’s fast start to the season under Clarkson. Daly has either led the team or tied for the team lead in goals in each of the last three years.
“I can’t be more honored to lead out these girls for this tournament” said Daly. “It’s completely different to a regular season but if I can just lead them out for the four to seven games that we’re going to play, it’s a massive honor. It’s a really nice feeling to know that James could trust me and make me captain.”
The Harrogate, England native scored a career-high 10 goals in her third season with the club and finished with three NWSL Team of the Month honors. The forward was named to the NWSL Second XI at the end of the season and named the club’s Most Valuable Player.
Daly spent three months in France last summer as part of the England Women’s National Team squad during their semifinal run at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She saw action in five of England’s seven matches and started in two, including the semifinal against the United States. Daly has scored three goals and earned 29 caps with the Lionesses while splitting time as a forward and outside back. Daly joined the Lionesses as they claimed their first SheBelieves Cup last March after defeating Brazil and Japan and playing the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 2-2 draw.
Campbell and Daly are set to lead Houston as they return to action for the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Dash will kick off their tournament run on July 1 at 9 p.m. CDT against the two-time defending NWSL champions, the North Carolina Courage followed Sky Blue FC on Sunday, July 5 at 11:30 a.m. CDT before taking on former Dash captain Kealia Ohai and the Chicago Red Stars on Thursday, July 9 at 11:30 a.m.
