NWSL Houston Dash

Houston Dash Close out 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup Group Stage, Dynamo 2 Hosts Sporting KC II

August 4, 2023 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dash will close out 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group stage play against the Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium on Saturday, August 5. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT and will stream on Paramount+. Houston Dynamo 2 returns to SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, August 6 to host Sporting KC II for the first of three matches across a seven-day stretch. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT and will stream on MLS Season Pass.

WHO: Houston Dash at Chicago Red Stars Houston Dynamo 2 vs Sporting Kansas City II

WHEN: Saturday, August 5 - 7:00 p.m. CT

at SeatGeek Stadium Sunday, August 6 - 6:00 p.m. CT

at SaberCats Stadium

STREAM/TV: Paramount +

Play-by-Play: Josh Eastern

Color Commentator: Saskia Webber

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Josh Tolle

DASH CLOSE OUT 2023 UKG NWSL CHALLENGE CUP GROUP STAGE ON THE ROAD

Houston is looking to close out the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group stage with back-to-back wins. The Dash are set to take on the Chicago Red Stars in the Challenge Cup finale on Saturday, August 5, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CT.

The Dash enter the match following a 1-0 win over Racing Louisville FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, July 27. Forward Ebony Scored the lone goal in the match in the 26th minute of the match. Forward Ryan Gareis found Salmon open on the left side of the goal to set up the Enligsh forward's shot. Salmon then forced Racing Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund to make a toe save that was just behind the ball.

The win marked the second clean sheet in Challenge Cup group play. Houston goalkeeper and captain Jane Campbell tied her career-high for most saves in a single match with seven. Campbell last made seven saves in a single match on October 6, 2021 in a 3-2 road win over Portland Thorns FC.

Chicago is coming into the match following a 0-0 draw at SeatGeek Stadium versus the Kansas City Current. Chicago currently sits at the bottom of group C with a 0-4-1 overall record in group play. The Red Stars are the only team across all three groups to not find the back of the net through five matches. Chicago has started 24 different players in this year's Challenge Cup, which is the most of any team in the competition and is also the most starters used by a team in a single year of the Challenge Cup.

Sunday's meeting will be the fourth meeting between the two teams across all competitions. Houston opened its 2023 road slate on April 1 beating the Red Stars 2-1 at SeatGeek Stadium. The Dash also defeated Chicago in the first meeting between the teams for Challenge Cup group play. Houston fell to the Red Stars on July 7 for the first time in regular season play since July 2021.

The Dash return to regular season on Sunday, August 19, hosting the Washington Spirit at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston will be celebrating "Pups at the Pitch" night, presented by Nationwide Insurance. Fans can bring their favorite four-legged friend to the match, and the first 6,000 fans will receive a Dash bandana. For more info, click here

DYNAMO 2 RETURN HOME TO HOST SPORTING KC II

Fresh off a comeback victory on the road versus Real Monarchs, Houston Dynamo 2 is looking to extend its unbeaten streak and begin a busy week which features three matches in seven days.

Forward Papa Ndoye earned MLS NEXT Pro Player of Matchday 19 honors after a career performance that included a hat trick against Real Monarchs. Ndoye sparked the comeback after Dynamo Dos went down a goal early at Zions Bank Stadium in Utah after equalizing in the 20th minute. Later in the match, Ndoye converted from the spot to once again tie the match up after Salt Lake regained the 3-2 lead. The SMU product completed the hat trick in the 84th minute to give Dynamo Dos the 5-3 lead. Forward Isaiah Reid, who entered the match as a second half substitute, earned a brace in the victory. Reid helped Houston equalize for a second time after Real Monarchs went up 2-1 before the half and scored to give Dynamo 2 its first lead of the night.

Sporting KC II enters the match after a dominating 4-0 win over Colorado Rapids 2, who sit atop the MLS NEXT Pro Western conference standings. Four different players scored in the victory with midfielder Ethan Bryant recording two assists.

Dynamo Dos will head back on the road to take on Colorado Rapids 2 on Wednesday, August 9 at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. CT.

Here are three key points ahead of both matches this weekend: ‚ ‚ ‚

SALMON SCORES: 22-year-old Ebony Salmon scored her first Challenge Cup goal over the weekend, bringing her career total to 17 goals in NWSL competitions. The only players born in the 2000s with more goals than Salmon in NWSL competitions are Sophia Smith (36) and Trinity Rodman (20), both of whom are currently with the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

TO THE KNOCKOUT STAGES WE GO: Two Houston Dash players and their respective national teams are headed to the Round of 16 in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Forward Michelle Alozie and Nigeria finished second in Group B and are set to play England in the first match of the knockout stage. Midfielder Havana Solaun and the Reggae Girlz of Jamaica also earned a ticket to the next round after finishing second in Group F play. Nigeria takes on England on Monday, August 7 at 2:30 p.m. CT, and Jamaica is set to take on Colombia on Tuesday, August 8 at 3:00 a.m. CT. Both matches will be televised on FOX.

BUSY STRETCH: Sunday kicks off one of the busiest stretches of the season for Houston Dynamo 2. After Sunday's match, Dynamo Dos will travel to Colorado on Wednesday to take on Rapids 2 for the second time this season. Following that match, Houston returns to SaberCats Stadium to host Whitecaps FC 2 on Sunday, August 13. Additionally, Houston Dynamo FC is currently preparing for its Round of 16 match against Charlotte FC in the 2023 Leagues Cup. Multiple Houston Dynamo 2 players were named to the tournament roster and may be available for selection in Monday's match.

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