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MLS NEXT Pro Houston Dynamo 2

Houston Dash Return to Shell Energy Stadium and Dynamo 2 Heads West

July 28, 2023 - MLS NEXT Pro (MLS NEXT Pro)
Houston Dynamo 2 News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dash are back at Shell Energy Stadium for the first time in nearly three weeks to host Racing Louisville FC in the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup on Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. CT. Houston Dynamo 2 travel to Salt Lake City to take on Real Monarchs later tonight, kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. CT.

Dash head coach Sam Laity will be available to the media on Friday, July 28. Media availability is tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. CT.

WHO: Houston Dash vs Racing Louisville FC Houston Dynamo 2 at Real Monarchs

WHEN: Saturday, July 29 - 7:30 p.m. CT

at Shell Energy Stadium Friday, July 28 - 9:00 p.m. CT

at Zions Bank Stadium

STREAM/TV: Paramount +

Play-by-Play: Josh Eastern

Color Commentator: Saskia Webber

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Kylen Mills

DASH RETURN TO SHELL ENERGY STADIUM

Houston returns home to Shell Energy Stadium for the first time in three weeks to host Racing Louisville FC for the fifth match of 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group play with a scheduled kick off at 7:30 p.m. CT

Saturday's match will be the third meeting between the two teams, and the second of Challenge Cup group play. Houston opened the 2023 regular season at Shell Energy Stadium against the Louisville-based team, which resulted in a 0-0 draw. The Dash traveled to the Burbon state on June 14 for the first match between the two teams in Challenge Cup play, which saw Houston fall on the road.

The Dash are coming off a loss to Kansas City at Children's Mercy Park on Saturday, July 22. Rookie defender Madelyn Desiano scored her career first NWSL goal in the loss. Dash forward María Sánchez delivered the assist on Desiano's goal. Sánchez is the only Houston player with an assist in the competition since the beginning of 2022 and her five assists in that time are the most of any NWSL player. In regular season play Sánchez has three goals and two assists so far this season.

Racing Louisville FC enters Saturday's match coming off a 2-0 win over the Chicago Red Stars in Challenge Cup group play. Louisville sits atop Group C with a 4-0-0 record. Against the Red Stars, Louisville had two different players score in the win, including defender Paige Monaghan who has scored a goal in three straight games in all competitions for Racing.

The Dash are set to close out 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup group play against the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday, August 5 in Bridgeview, Illinois.

DYNAMO 2 TRAVEL TO UTAH TO TAKE ON REAL MONARCHS

Following a 1-1 draw at SaberCats stadium on Sunday, July 23, Houston Dynamo 2 is back on the road and headed to Utah to take on Real Monarchs.

Forward Papa Ndoye scored the equalizer in the 54th minute of the match Minnesota United FC 2 had gone up by a goal following a conversion from the spot in the 22nd minute.

Friday's match will mark the second time this season that the two will face each other. In the first meeting, at SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, May 14, Dynamo 2 defeated Real Monarchs 3-0. The match kickstarted a five-game unbeaten streak that saw Dynamo Dos outscored its opponents 14-4 through that stretch. Dynamo Dos had three different players score in the match, including midfielder Diego Gonzalez who leads the team in scoring with seven goals.

Real Monarchs are coming off a 4-1 loss to Colorado Rapids II at Zions Bank Stadium for the Utah based team's third straight home loss. Real Monarchs have been led by Ilijah Paul and Terron Williams. Paul is the side's leading scorer with four goals, two of which have been the crucial first of the match. Williams has scored three times this year, including one match-opener.

Dynamo Dos has taken the last three matches played against Real Monarchs and are undefeated since May 2022. Dos has outscored Real Monarchs 8-1 during the stretch.

Houston Dynamo 2 is back at SaberCats Stadium on Sunday, August 6 to take on Sporting Kansas City II for the second time this season. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT.

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

WELCOME TO THE SPACE CITY, SARAH PUNTIGAM: On Wednesday, Houston signed Austrian Women's National Team captain and midfielder Sarah Puntigam through the 2023 season with an option for 2024. Puntigam joins the Dash via transfer from German side FC Köln where she spent the 2022-23 season, making 21 appearances and starts along with two goals and assists for the club. Prior to joining FC Köln in 2022, Puntigam spent four seasons (2018-22) with French side Montpellier, contributing 10 goals and assists across 71 appearances for the club. Puntigam has represented the Austrian Women's National Team with a record holding 134 caps and has scored 18 goals, fourth most-all time and third amongst active players.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CHECK-IN: The groups at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup are starting to take shape and several Houston Dash players are working to put their teams into the knockout stage. Canada, which features midfielder Sophie Schmidt, forward Nichelle Prince and defender Allysha Chapman, were able to earn a comeback win over Ireland in the second match of group play. Schmidt recorded her career first FIFA Women's World cup assist for the game winning goal. Forward Michelle Alozie was key in helping Nigeria take the lead over co-host nation Australia. Alozie kept the ball in Australia's box after the ball was cleared following a Nigeria corner. Argentinian Paulina Gramaglia, who is on loan with Red Bull Brangantino, earned the start against South Africa with the match ending in a 2-2 draw. Brazilian midfielder Andressa will be back in action against France at 5:00 a.m. CT on the morning of Saturday, July 29. Midfielder Havana Solaun and Jamaica will play Panama following the France-Brazil match on Saturday, July 29 at 7:30 a.m. CT.

TRIPLE THREAT: Houston has three players who have scored multiple goals this season. They are led by Dynamo 2 midfielder Diego Gonzalez who has seven goals this season. Houston is undefeated in matches where Gonzalez has scored. Forward Papa Ndoye and Yair González have also been Houston Dynamo FC 2's main attacking threats, netting five and four goals, respectively.

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