Dash drop crucial contest to Seattle Reign FC

Jane Campbell was the best player on the pitch in Houston’s tough 2-0 loss to the Seattle Reign FC on Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium .

With playoff implications on the line, the Houston Dash found themselves overwhelmed by Seattle’s possession heavy play and quick counterattack. Reign FC dominated possession 56.2% to 46.8% and lead Houston eight to four in shots on goal.

Seattle’s blistering pace saw the club break through first, as Jodie Taylor’s opened the scoring with her tenth goal of the season in the 58th minute.

Jasmyne Spencer played Theresa Nielsen behind Houston’s backline with a long ball down the right flank, Nielsen played a cross into the box and Taylor direct the ball into the far corner.

Six minutes later, Megan Rapinoe assisted on Taylor’s second goal of the night. Taylor launched a strike from beyond the box over the head of Campbell and into the back of the net to the seal the victory for Reign FC.

Throughout the match Rapinoe wreaked havoc against the Dash backline, using her speed to beat Houston’s defenders and played through balls in the direction of Jodie Taylor, sprinting towards goal.

The pair missed an opportunity to connect in the 35th minute, as Jessica Fishlock played Rapinoe down the left flank with a through ball. Rapinoe played a pass across the face of the goal, but a sprinting Taylor failed to get on the end of the pass and tip the ball into the wide open net.

Kealia Ohai provided the Dash with their best chance of the night in the 75th minute. Ohai’s 1v1 strike from inside the box was stopped by Lydia Williams, the ball deflected off Kristen McNabb, ricochet off the post and stayed out.

Jane Campbell made six saves in the match including a terrific diving stop to deny Rapinoe’s strike from distance in the 50th minute

Campbell also stopped Rapinoe’s free kick aimed for the top corner to close out the first half.

With the loss, Houston remain in seventh place with a 8-9-5 record, 29 points and sit two points behind the fourth place Chicago Red Stars. With the victory, Reign FC clinch a playoff spot as their record improves to 11-4-7, 40 points good for second place in the league standings.

With only two games remaining on the season, the Houston’s game against Sky Blue FC on Saturday night is a must-win game. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm CT.