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Houston Dash
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The Houston Dash will aim to secure its first home win of the season when it hosts the Utah Royals at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday.
Both teams enter the match with identical records (1-1D-3L). The Dash sit in 10th place, just one spot above the Royals, thanks to fewer number of yellow cards.
Houston is looking to bounce back after a tough 2-nil away loss to first place Kansas City Current. The last home outing for the Dash ended in a 3-1 defeat to Angel City FC.
Utah Royals FC, meanwhile, comes into this match on a high note after grabbing its first win of the season in a 1-nil home win against the Chicago Red Stars.
The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast internationally on NWSL+. Deportes Nation will have the Spanish audio broadcast on DeportesNation.com, our mobile app, and across our social media channels.
Head-to-Head History
These two teams met three times last season, with Utah winning the season series with a 3-1 victory in Houston.
Players to Watch
Houston Dash:
- Yazmeen Ryan & Bárbara Olivieri – This duo is emerging as a dynamic attacking force for Houston. Ryan’s vision and composure paired with Olivieri’s creativity and flair give the Dash a much-needed spark in the final third.
- Jane Campbell – The Dash goalkeeper remains a consistent leader between the posts. Her ability to organize the backline and make crucial saves keeps Houston competitive in tight matches.
Utah Royals:
- Ally Sentnor – The rookie has quickly made a name for herself with her technical ability, attacking instincts, and fearless play. She’ll be a key piece in Utah’s attempt to unlock Houston’s backline.
- Kaleigh Riehl – The central defender brings composure and toughness to the Royals’ backline, which will be tested by Houston’s speed on the flanks.
Key Game Points
- Home Win Elusive for Dash: Houston has yet to get a result at home, and with the playoff line slowly taking shape, three points on home turf are more critical than ever.
- Equal Records, Different Trajectories: Both teams have one win so far, but momentum could swing depending on who imposes their game early.
- Bounce-Back Mentality: For the Dash, this is not just about points—it’s about pride. Back-to-back losses have exposed defensive vulnerabilities that must be addressed.
Possible Outcomes
- Houston Win (2-1): If Olivieri and Ryan continue to build chemistry and the midfield can provide support, Houston could finally get their long-awaited home victory.
- Draw (1-1): Given the evenness in form and standings, this could be a gritty, low-scoring draw unless one side capitalizes on a mistake.
- Utah Win (2-0): If Sentnor finds space early and the Royals stay compact defensively, they could repeat last season’s success and take all three points.
With both teams sitting just outside of playoff contention, this match is a golden opportunity to climb the standings and build momentum.
Houston needs a breakthrough at Shell Energy Stadium, while Utah will aim to prove last week’s win wasn’t a fluke. Expect a physical, high-energy contest with postseason implications already beginning to simmer.
