Houston Dash wins the NWSL Challenge Cup after beating Chicago Red Stars, 2-0. This is the first championship in franchise history, for a team that have never qualified for playoffs in years before. Second year coach James Clarkson did an extraordinary job during the offseason in building this club around key players such as England international Rachel Daly and goalkeeper Jane Campbell.
Even though Houston started the tournament with a big questions mark, they seemed to be a contender after the first two matches of the qualifying round. However, after the second match, Clarkson team struggled to find the way to score in the next two matches and keep and order and solid defensive line. Even though the team struggled, the work the team did to adapt and fix some defensive issues was key to help them getting this trophy.
A major element for Houston to have a great performance in the knockout round was keeping a compact defensive side. Moreover, the team did not concede a goal in the playoffs. Also, their versatile attack lead by Daly, Shea Groom and Kristie Mewis helped their side to conquer the first professional sport championship for Htown since the Dynamo won the Open Cup in 2018.
Courtesy of Houston Dash
On the other side, Chicago came into this match trying to win its first title in club’s history as well. They lost the NWSL Championship Final in 2019 against the North Carolina Courage, 4-0. Chicago beat Reign FC on penaties in the quarterfinals and Sky Blue FC, 3-2, in the semis to get its spot to the final.
The match was a well fought and dynamic game since the starting whistle. Early in the match, Dash Kristie Mewis was fouled inside the box by Kayla Sharples for a PK. Shopie Schmidt netted it in for 1-0 at the 5’. After the goal, the Orange kept compact in the defensive side and try to create offensive plays in the counter.
Chicago controlled most of the possession of the ball in the first half, but their attacks lack of accuracy and seemed relatively easy for Houston to control. The Dash pressure the Red Stars right about the midfield line. Chicago did not find the way to open the Houston defense and after having just some chances to get the equalizer, they were not able to score and the partial score at the was 1-0.
Courtesy of NWSL
The second 45 minutes were similar as the first one. Houston struggled to have long possessions and Chicago took advantage of getting the ball back fast to attack the Texans. However, the attacks were very predictable, which made Houston control the tempo of the match. Yes, Houston with a defensive game plan was controlling the actions as they were letting Chicago to attack them. However, as Chicago was going up to try to get a goal, they left some spaces that Houston was using to create chances to double the lead. Sure enough, Daly’s long pass to Shea Groom, whose shot after dribbled Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, got the second goal for the Dash in stoppage time and give with this, a well deserve title to the Houston team.
Courtesy of NWSL
The Houston captain and tournament’s MVP Rachel Daly clinched the Golden Boot after netting 3 goals and having 2 assists. Also, Houston’s Shea Groom, who was a key addition for the Orange during the offseason, was named the Finals MVP.
