Red Stars rescue a point in the last minute in Houston

The Houston Dash were not able to keep the lead, losing two points at home in the season opener at BBVA Compass Stadium. Rookie Kimberly Keever scored her first career goal at the 38th minute for the Dash, but Taylor Comeau of Chicago, tied it up with a header in stoppage time. Final score 1-1.

The match was very well fought. The home team controlled the possession of the ball most of the match and pressured in every sector of the pitch, creating many problems for a Chicago team that never looked comfortable on the field. Even though the Red Stars focused on a solid defense, Houston had many chances to score throughout the game.

New Dash players Linda Motlhalo and Mana Shim created the balance that Houston was looking for during the match. Veronica Latsko and Savannah Jordan were solid in offense, retaining the ball and creating spaces for other players such as Rachel Daly and Kristie Mewis who attacked when Houston had the ball. Surprisingly, these two players (Daly and Mewis) played in the back four along with Amber Brooks and Janine Van Wyk.

New Dash coach Vera Pauw identified that Chicago was attacking mostly in the right side, so she sent
Nichelle Prince to play in that area in the second half. After that substitution, the visitors struggled even
more to create opportunities to tie the score.

However, just when it looked like the home team was getting the win, Chicago tied the score to the
disappointment of almost six thousand fans who attended the last match of Week 1 in the season opener of the NWSL.

Now the Dash need to turn the page and focus on their next rival, who will be the newest NWSL team, the Utah Royals. The Royals will be visiting Houston for the first time on Friday April 30. Chicago on the other side will be hosting the Portland Thorns on Saturday April 31 where they will try to get the first victory of the season in front of their home crowd.