Dash return home to host last-place Sky Blue FC

The Houston Dash return to the friendly confines of BBVA Stadium on Sunday to host Sky Blue FC following a disappointing conclusion of their cross-country road trip. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM CT and the action can be viewed on Yahoo! Sports.

The Dash produced a second-half comeback to down the Washington Spirit last weekend but couldn’t follow that success, as they were thumped 5-0 by the Portland Thorns in front of a record crowd at Providence Park on Wednesday. A win would keep them right in the playoff hunt, and it’s there for the taking given the kind of season their opponents are having.

Sky Blue find themselves in the basement of the league with eight points after 13 games played, three back of the Orlando Pride. Despite their poor form on the year, their two wins have come in recent outings - they produced back-to-back wins over Chicago and Utah earlier in July.

The teams have met once so far this year, with the Dash securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a late goal from Sofia Huerta at Yurcak Field. The women in orange thoroughly dominated play in that affair and amassed 11 shots on target, so they will be hoping for a little more efficiency in the final third to overcome Sky Blue ‘keeper Kailen Sheridan.

Mandy Freeman (right achilles), Madison Tiernan (left ACL/MCL), and Domi Richardson (ankle) remain sidelined for the visitors after suffering major setbacks earlier in the season. The team has avoided the injury bug of late, however, and now have Carli Lloyd back in action following her success with the U.S. women’s national team at the World Cup in France.

The Dash are without Veronica Latsko (left knee - SEI), Kayla McCoy (left knee - SEI), Nichelle Prince (right knee - SEI), and Clare Polkinghorne (excused absence), while Allysha Chapman is listed as questionable (left ankle). Arianna Romero remains away with the Mexican national team for the Pan American games.