Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit Preview: Dash looking to climb up NWSL standings

The Houston Dash are looking to put last weekend’s disappointing draw behind them and get three points at home against the Washington Spirit.

Last Saturday, Janine Beckie scored her first goal of the season in the team’s game against the Portland Thorns. The 7 minute and 46 second goal looked like it would be the game winning goal for the Dash. However, the tide turned late as Lindsey Horan scored in the 91st minute of the game. The Dash saw three points dissolve into one as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Carli Lloyd was shown a straight red card at the end of the game for violent conduct.

The NWSL does not have a process for appealing a red card. This will leave the Dash without Carli Lloyd for the game against Washington on Saturday.

The Washington Spirit has a similar result in their game against the Orlando Pride last weekend only they were the team fighting back to tie the game. Orlando’s Marta scored twice in the game to have Mallory Pugh respond each time with a leveling goal.

The game this weekend will be the third and final time these two teams face each other in the regular season. The first game between the two was a 1-0 win for the Dash at the Spirit’s home field in April. The Dash lost their return trip there in June, 2-0.

Both teams have been surging lately. The Spirit has one lost in their last five games while the Dash are rolling on a four game unbeaten streak. The Houston Dash currently sit in seventh place with 14 points in 13 games. While the Spirit sit in 10th aka last place with 12 points in 12 games.

Kickoff is at 7:30 pm CT at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday.