Dash Get Road Win in Chicago

BRIDGEVIEW, IL-Finding a way to get a road victory early in the season is helpful on a windy and cold afternoon at SeatGeek Stadium. The Houston Dash pulled out a 2-1 win over host Chicago Red Stars on a Diana Ordonez penalty kick and some timely help on defense.

For the Dash, it was their first victory of the young season, and the Red Stars suffered its second straight defeat in two weeks.

“For the two halves, it was a struggle for both teams with the conditions,” Houston head coach Sam Laity said. “I’m proud of the team and we knew coming here, it needed to be an industrial performance in tough conditions. Coming here I didn’t think it was going to be a pretty game as tactical as it was against Louisville. I’m very happy for the team to get three points. Today, it was the weather and the opponent, and we were fortunate to come out on top.”

Diana Ordonez had a penalty kick that pushed the Dash ahead 2-1 in the 60th minute of play, but the determination occurred over a two-minute span with the help of the VAR and the referee to look at the replay. Ordonez was initially fouled by the Red Stars Tatumn Milazzo in the box and Houston had an opportunity with another shot, shortly afterward. Then, the play was reviewed for a penalty kick.

Chicago had a couple of chances to even the match at level down to the final minutes. One of them on a service that was cleared out of trouble by one of the Dash defenders in the middle of the box. Also, Houston’s Allysha Chapman made a crucial stop in the 89th minute off a Red Stars corner from Mallory Swanson, which the ball was headed off Casey Krueger for the near post. Chapman was able to get her head on the shot and deflected the ball over the crossbar.

“That was very important for us and it sums up the determination for the team,” Laity said. “It’s really a tough place to play. and hopefully build a foundation for the year. Our backline has been incredible and very solid the last two games and what Jane Campbell brings, she’s a world-class goalkeeper.”

The Dash opened the scoring early in the first half at the four-minute mark. Maria Sanchez broke free for the back post off a set-up from Ebony Salmon for a 1-0 lead.

Chicago got a goal to even the match at 1-1 in the 19th minute off a Swanson corner kick that was deflected off the Dash’s Natalie Jacobs into the back of the net for an own goal.

“We didn’t play well enough to win,” Chicago head coach Chris Petrucelli said. “The second half we really didn’t get enough control of the ball. We couldn’t get control of the ball and get into dangerous spots like we did in the first half. Our quality just wasn’t good enough. There were chances for sure, but our quality when we had the ball just wasn’t typical of us. I felt like we gave away the ball too many times. Goals come from us giving the ball away. Every game you play, you’re not going to finish all your chances. we did have some. Credit to Houston, they deserved to win the game.”

Houston will next play Mexico’s National Team on Tuesday, April 11th, while Chicago will get the opportunity to host Mexico on Saturday, April 8th.

HOU-Maria Sanchez (Salmon) 4

CHI-Natalie Jacobs (own goal) 19

HOU-Diane Ordonez (penalty kick) 60