:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49419007/TIS_4440.0.0.jpg)
Coming off of a rough loss to the Orlando Pride last Saturday, the Houston Dash have been preparing all week to return to their home stadium hungry for a win as they look ahead to their Friday match against Sky Blue FC without Carli Lloyd.
Dash look forward
After a rainy week of preparation and training last week, the Dash traveled to Orlando looking to make a statement to the newest team in front of an NWSL record crowd. Houston released their roster and fans saw something different- Kealia Ohai was out and Carli Lloyd was in up front while Morgan Brian was set to make her debut in midfield, but the match took a turn for the worse after Lloyd suffered an MCL sprain in her right knee just five minutes into the match. From there, the Pride outplayed the Dash in a 3-1 win. This week, the Dash plan to show fans and other clubs that they mean business.
Fans can expect more fire from the team as they take the field and surely play a more offensive game. Coming off a loss, the team should be fired up in search of momentum and motivation for another three points to add to their standings.
Melissa Henderson and Carli Lloyd are ruled out on the injury report. While Cari Roccaro has been downgraded to questionable and Morgan Brian is probable.
Sky Blue FC sits in the same boat
Sky Blue FC is trying to make a statement as well after losing last week 2-1 to the Washington Spirit. The Spirit scored twice before Maya Hayes scored her first goal of the season for Sky Blue eliminating the chance at a shut out. Sky Blue travels to BBVA Compass Stadium looking to beat the Dash and tally their second win of the season.
Fans shouldn’t count Sky Blue out just yet since they are in the same exact boat as the Dash. They will be just as fired up looking to prove to their own fans that they aren’t near ready to slow down just because of their first loss of the season. Expect to see Sky Blue put on a physical match for the Houston defense.
Houston sits just about Sky Blue on the current standings, however they both hold the same exact record of 1-1-0 with 3 points each to their own respective names. Both are planning on adding three more points which will make for a match that no fan is going to want to miss.
The match kicks off at 7:30 pm CT at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas and can be live streamed online on the NWSL’s YouTube platform.