RECAP: Dash open three-game road trip with victory over Kansas City Current

NEED TO KNOW: 

• Dash earn their first victory of the season and first under acting head coach Sarah Lowdon  
• Dash earn their first clean sheet since a 4-0 victory over Racing Louisville FC on Sept. 26, 2021 
• Rachel Daly scored her 39th goal for the club in all competitions and first of the 2022 NWSL regular season 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Houston Dash earned their first victory of the season with a 2-0 triumph over Kansas City Current at Children’s Mercy Park earlier today.  

The victory is the first for acting head coach Sarah Lowdon, who was named to the role on Friday, April 29. The victory was also the first clean sheet for Houston since a 4-0 triumph over Racing Louisville FC on Sept. 26, 2021.  

The Dash took the lead in the 40th minute after forward Michaela Abam suffered a foul inside the box by Kansas City’s Elizabeth Ball. Dash captain Rachel Daly converted the ensuing penalty kick to give the Dash a 1-0 lead late in the first half. Daly is the only NWSL player to have taken a minimum of three penalty kicks across all competitions, both in regulation or shootout, to have a 100 percent conversion rate. 

Houston doubled their lead in the sixth minute of stoppage time after Bri Visalli sprinted past Taylor Leach to a clearance from Daly near midfield. Visalli dribbled around the Current shot stopper inside the box for the second goal of the match.  

Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was first called into action in the the 10^th minute on a set piece from Kansas City. The Dash shot stopper punched the ball away for the first of her five saves against Kansas City. The Dash backline held firm in the final 45 minutes as they defended 11 shots in the second half with five on goal.  

Dash forward Shea Groom found Maria Sanchez inside the box in the 69th minute for one of Houston’s most dangerous opportunities of the second half. Sanchez’s effort was blocked by Kristen Edmonds and the ball just missed the inside of the near post.  

Houston was under heavy pressure in the final 15 minutes as Kansas City looked for the equalizer. Hailie Mace forced a save from Campbell at the far post in the 77th minute only moments after Dash defender Elizabeth Eddy blocked a shot from Lo’eau LaBonta at the edge of the box with her torso.  

Houston forced a clearance in the 87th minute after Groom nearly intercepted a pass intended for Kansas City goalkeeper AD Franch.  

Houston returns to action on Saturday, May 14 in Kentucky against Racing Louisville at 7 p.m. CT. The Dash return to PNC Stadium on May 29 to host the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup champions, the North Carolina Courage at 6 p.m. CT. For tickets and additional information visit HoustonDash.com. 

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Kansas City Current (0-2-0; 0 pts.) 0-2 Houston Dash (1-1-0; 3 pts.)  

2022 NWSL Regular Season – Game 2 

Children’s Mercy Park – Kansas City, Kansas  

Attendance: 6, 140 

SCORING SUMMARY  

HOU: Rachel Daly 1 (penalty kick) 40 

HOU: Bri Visalli 1 (Rachel Daly 1) 90+6′ 

LINEUPS: 

Kansas City Current: AD Franch; Hailie Mace, Elizabeth Ball (Addie McCain 59′), Taylor Leach, Jenna Winebrenner (Chardonnay Curran 46′) (Chardonnay Curran 46), Kristen Edmonds (Maddie Nolf 79′); Desiree Scott (C) (Kate Del Fava 79′), Alex Lorea, Lo LaBonta, Victoria Pickett (Izzy Rodriguez 70′); Kristen Hamilton 

Unused substitutes: Cassie Miller; Sydney Schneider, Jaycie Johnson  

Total shots: 15 (Lo LaBonta 4); Shots on goal: 5 (Lo LaBonta 2); Fouls: 10(Hallie Mace and Alexis Loera tied with 3); Offside: 1 (Hallie Mace 1); Corner kicks: 5 (Alexis Loera 3); Saves: 2 (AD Franch 2) 

Houston Dash: Jane Campbell, Elizabeth Eddy, Katie Naughton, Ally Prisock (Julia Ashley 83′), Haley Hanson; Sophie Schmidt, Marisa Viggiano, Rachel Daly (C); Maria Sánchez, Nichelle Prince (Bri Visalli 74′), Michaela Abam (Shea Groom 57′) 

 
Unused Substitutes: Ryan Gareis, Lindsey Harris, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, Kelcie Hedge, Joelle Anderson, Emily Ogle 

Total shots: 9 (Rachel Daly, Maria Sanchez, Haley Hanson and Michaela Abam tied with 2); Shots on goal: 4 (Rachel Daly 2); Fouls: 11 (Sophie Schmidt 4); Offside: 3 (Nichelle Prince 2); Corner kicks: 6 (Rachel Daly 4); Saves: 5 (Jane Campbell 5) 

DISCIPLINE:   

KCC: Desiree Scott (caution; foul) 64′ 

HOU: Maria Sanchez (caution; foul) 76′  

KCC: Alexis Loera (caution; foul) 90+2′ 

OFFICIALS:   

Referee: Alyssa Nichols 

Assistant Referee: Matthew Seem 

Assistant Referee: Kaitlyn Trowbridge 

Fourth Official: Jervis Atagana 

Weather: 73 degrees, cloudy skies