Shell Energy Stadium | Houston, Texas – Sunday, June 11 at 7:00 PM ET
Players to watch:
Houston’s Sophie Hirst and Michelle Alozie scored Houston’s two goals in its 2-0 win over Orlando on Saturday, both players’ first goal of the season and Hirst’s first in NWSL. The Dash’s last seven regular season goals have been scored by seven different players. Only two players have scored more than one goal the entire year–forwards Diana Ordóñez and María Sánchez–who have scored just two each.
Gotham forward Lynn Williams has enjoyed playing in Texas in her career, recording four goals and four assists in eight away matches against the Dash to average one goal contribution per game. That number is tied for the most goal contributions in road matches against Houston in NWSL history. Williams also has three goals and three assists in nine U.S. Women’s National Team appearances in Texas.
Match facts: The Houston Dash rally to face NJ/NY Gotham FC in the first of two Sunday games across the regular season, with the Dash aiming to win a third-straight game while Gotham hopes to bounce back from what was just its third loss all season last week. Currently, Houston is in 6th place with 15 points from 10 games while Gotham is above them in 4th place with 17 points from 10 games. Gotham is level with 3rd place Washington on points, but behind them on a single goal difference.
The Dash have consecutive matches for the first time since a three-match winning streak last July-August. Both of those victories came with a clean sheet as Houston has never kept three straight clean sheets in regular season play in the club’s NWSL history.
Gotham FC has collected 13 points from its first six away matches this season, including winning four of those matches (D1 L1). Gotham’s club record for road wins in a single regular season is five, achieved in each of the first two NWSL seasons (2013, 2014).
Only one of the last 14 meetings in all competitions between Houston and Gotham FC has ended in a draw, with the Dash winning seven times and Gotham winning six. The Dash won both meetings last season, scoring six times over the two games.
Noted (via Jen Cooper, The Kicker):
Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell (113) is set to tie Kealia Ohai Watt (114) for all-time regular-season appearances with the Dash.
Next appearance for Ally Prisock HOU will be her 50th in regular-season play (all with Houston).
Next game-winning goal for Lynn Williams NJY will be her 5th game-winner of the 2023 regular season. Gotham’s single-season record is 6, set by Midge Purce in 2021.
Gotham has scored 247 regular-season goals since its first NWSL match in 2013. Only 4 clubs have more than 250 goals (Portland, Reign, Chicago, Washington).
