The 2015 NWSL season kicked off Friday night as the Houston Dash defeated the Washington Spirit 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas. Carli Lloyd and Kealia Ohai were the goal scorers for the evening.
While the Dash were unable to meet their opening day target of 10,000, it appears that calls from current team members bolstered low midweek sales to help draw an attendance of slightly over 6,000 fans. With the match being the only one for the evening, over 3,500 viewers tuned in on the league’s YouTube stream.
Despite having just returned from national team duty; some only the day before, several USWNT members were in the starting XI for both teams. Ashlyn Harris and Ali Krieger featured for the Spirit, while Meghan Klingenberg, Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian were in the line up for the Dash.
The Spirit showed some real promise in the early stages of the match, with good possession and movement on the ball. The passing combinations were crisp and on point and caused some early troubles for the Dash. Catching newly converted defender Ella Masar off guard, the Spirit were able to slip the ball past the back line. Dash goalkeeper Bianca Henninger prevented any real danger and though the ball rebounded to the Spirit. Though the team was able to maintain possession and set up a play, Estefania Banini’s shot went high over the goal.
In the 17th minute, Spirit captain and USWNT regular Ali Krieger went up for a header to try to clear the ball from the defensive end. Dash forward Jessica McDonald also went for the ball and ended up making hard, head to head contact that sent Krieger immediately to the ground. After being down for about seven minutes, Krieger was eventually taken off on a stretcher, though she was clapping and waving as she exited the field. According to the team, she sustained a mild concussion and is being monitored while NWSL and USSF protocols are being followed. She will undergo further testing when the team arrives back in DC.
Following the injury and stoppage in play, the Dash offense picked up considerably and they continuously challenge the Spirit back line. The combination of Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian proved incredibly effective as the pair were constantly able to play off each other and create opportunities for the Dash.
That teamwork paid off in the extended first half stoppage time. A defensive lapse left Lloyd wide open at the edge of the box. Brian showed great control and patience to set up the play and draw the defense before passing over to Lloyd who dribbled to the top of the box and sent an absolutely stunning shot that just caught the bottom of the crossbar and went in, giving the Dash a 1-0 lead going into the break.
The Dash came out in the second half looking to add to Lloyd’s goal and created several opportunities to double their tally on the night and in the 50th minute did just that. Kealia Ohai intercepted the ball from a Spirit defender and took off towards the goal. Ohai powered past the defense and slid the ball past Harris to give the Dash a 2-0 lead.
Though only the first match of the season, the Dash look much improved compared to last season. Their organization, passing, possession and ball movement were key factors and while their defense was not overly challenged, they did well to withstand an early Spirit attack and keep the ball out of their defensive third for much of the match.
The Spirit had some good moments in the match but had several defensive lapses and did not provide much in the way of offense throughout the match. With the back line being fairly young and completely different from last year, there is an expected adjustment period, but will have to learn and gel together quickly in order to be more effective in future matches.
The Spirit will also need to pick things up on the other side of the ball. Though some good chances were created early in the match, the offense seemed to fizzle out and proved little challenge to the Dash.
One bright spot from last night was the introduction of Crystal Dunn to the match. Dunn provided a boost in speed and displayed some excellent skill in moving the ball and creating chances. While there were questions about Dunn’s absence from the starting lineup, it was promising to see her utilized as a sub early into the match. Though unable to help the Spirit get on the score sheet, she made a definite impact from the moment she stepped on the pitch.
The Washington Spirit take on defending champions FC Kansas City in their home opener next Saturday April 18, 2015 at 7 p.m. from Maureen Hendricks Field at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
The Houston Dash are away at Sky Blue FC Saturday April 18, 2015 at 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field in Rutgers, NJ.
Feature Photo courtesy of www.dynamotheory.com
