By Manuel Olivares
The Houston Dash unbeaten streak continues at home against Racing Louisville with the score line 0-0. Many opportunities that we were missed that could’ve been converted. Highlight of the night was the fans saying goodbye to captain Rachel Daly, who was bought by Aston Villa this past Tuesday.
It’s well known that the Houston Dash is labeled as the best away team in the NWSL. Their biggest test is can they replicate that at PNC Stadium. Racing Louisville has struggled to register a win in their last ten games. “The focus is to able to perform throughout the 90 minutes,” said Interim Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós before the game. “If we get that right, again, making sure that we work as an unit, then we’ll have to step up on the individual aspects in order to be successful.”
The Dash came out with all out attack to Louisville. Within the first 15 minutes of play, they were able to get 3 shots on target and entered the attacking third 11 times. Many good signs were looking for the Dash to get a goal within the first minutes in the First Half. Noticeable with shots from Shea Groom and Ebony Salmon missing the mark late in the first half.
Things would turn into Dash’s way. Louisville Defender Satara Murray fouled Shea Groom outside the box in the 33th minute. Recklessly, Murray fouled Ebony Salmon in the 42nd minute to earn a second yellow card and an early exit to the game. This provided to be a positive going into the second half, only have to play 10 sided Louisville.
Sadly, the second half proved to be too much for the Dash. Louisville sat back in a low block and made it difficult for the Dash to have a shot in target or the ball inside the penalty box. Only one real chance for the Dash came in the 81st minute when Forward Nichelle Prince took a shot in the near left post. The game ended a point a piece.
The game proved that the league isn’t easy as most people thought it will be after the good run that the Dash had. “It was a game we wanted to win, just like every time when we go in the pitch,” said Juan Carlos Amorós after the game. “We would have been better technically if we made the shift and we would have had more chances. We were doing good things and we need to make sure we do better for Gotham FC.”
The Dash will be at home again at PNC Stadium to face off NY/NJ Gotham FC on August 17th at 7:30PM CST on Paramount +.