Dynamo/Dash Delivery: Dash lock down their stars, Dynamo look for 2 in a row

Houston Dash

The Houston Dash continue to secure the future of top flight women’s soccer in Houston, Texas. Last week the team announced contract extensions for goalkeeper Jane Campbell and midfielder Kristie Mewis. This week, the organization inked a new three year deal with arguably one of the best in the world in forward Rachel Daly. They then followed that with Tuesday’s announcement that Shea Groom will be right up top with Daly for the next three seasons as well. These are four big moves by a club on the verge of possibly parlaying their Challenge Cup success with a huge four game set coming up against North Carolina Courage and Orlando Pride. Although Groom is expected on the pitch for those games, it is unlikely that Daly will return from Harrogate, England until the 2021 training camp commences.

The four signings represent something the club has not done in its history; namely sign their biggest names to the dotted line, showing an unprecedented loyalty not seen often in today’s sporting world. Daly and Groom represent the best of humanity with their unpretentious, down-to-earth hard work, grit and determination. They are all about team unlike others who have been here previously.

Groom was looking for a home and she proved her worth in the Challenge Cup and the Dash management responded in kind.

“I’ve been looking for a home in this league for the past three seasons now and that’s what Houston feels like to me – home,” Groom said. “It’s an honor to represent a city that reflects the same grit and resiliency I try to embody as a player and I can’t wait to win more championships with this organization. Dash on baby, and gig’em forever!”

Daly, Campbell, Mewis, Allysha Chapman, Christine Nairn and the list goes on, embody a blue collar culture that has not been seen since the early Dynamo days. James Clarkson is proving that there is a Dash way just like there was a Dynamo way back in the day.

Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo look for win number two in 2020 after a vengeful 5-2 shellacking of Sporting Kansas CIty a week ago. It was a game that some say caused SKC coach Peter Vermes to throw in the towel because he started playing younger, less experienced players in the latter stages of the second half. It was a game long overdue for the Houston Dynamo. For the longest time, players and coaches had been proclaiming how this was getting better and sharper and for at least one game they were.

Now comes Minnesota United. In the past, this writer has said time and again the Dynamo beat themselves. So what are the odds that Houston scores at least two goals and comes away with a win? If history is any barometer, the answer would be a resounding pretty darn good. After all, that is exactly what the Dynamo have done against MUNFC in five of their last six meetings. Minnesota is a dangerous foe for Houston, having lost two straight since the MLS returned, having never won at BBVA Stadium and now led by their new #10 Emanuel Reynoso who is expected to start on Wednesday. Houston has three home wins over the Loons with nine goals.

Former Minnesota player Darwin Quintero now plays for the men in Orange and has the hot foot coming into the match, leading the lead with three goals and four assists. So we shall see if the Dynamo can build on last week’s big win or ...........