The National Women’s Soccer League continues with week two motion, and on Saturday the Houston Dash defeated the Chicago Red Stars 2-1. Dash defender Natalie Jacobs was credited with an personal aim, however Houston ahead’s Maria Sanchez and Diana Ordonez scored within the victory. It is the primary time in league historical past that two members of the Mexican girls’s nationwide staff have scored in an everyday season NWSL match.
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Here are some takeaways from the match:
Ordonez and Sanchez rating first targets with Dash
The Dash acquired off to a fast begin testing the house behind the Red Stars’ three again. It took 4 minutes to supply a aim as Houston’s entrance three proceed to construct their chemistry this season. Ordonez’s motion and Ebony Salmon’s ability on the ball utterly stretched the backline as Sanchez scored the opening aim.
Despite the Red Stars ultimately enjoying their manner into the match, the Dash spent extra time on the ball in possession (52.3%) and exited the primary half with extra pictures (three) and makes an attempt on the right track (three), although Chicago’s skill to earn set items and corners saved them inside putting distance within the half.
Ordonez’s game-winner got here after a prolonged VAR verify and the second-year participant transformed. All eyes are on the Texas native after her 11-goal record-breaking rookie season with the North Carolina Courage earlier than a summer time commerce. A missed probability on the right track in week one left room for enchancment, and Houston’s attacking three remains to be understanding their chemistry, however a defensive breakdown for the opening aim and a penalty kick conversion to insure three factors is simply the beginning for the staff.
“Very pleased with the entrance three and in addition with Ryan [Garies} and Cam [Tucker] and Havana [Solaun] who got here off the bench and actually supporting the staff,” Dash head coach Sam Laity stated after the sport.
But from the angle of [Ordonez], you already know she’s our quantity 9, so I believe they at all times wish to rating. I believe issues will likely be somewhat bit simpler for now…She scores targets, it is what she likes to do, so I’m completely satisfied for her and completely satisfied for the staff.”
Red Stars downed by VAR in two consecutive video games
In 12 months one among VAR in NWSL matches, the Red Stars now have two video games the place the know-how has led to game-winning penalties for the opposition. A late-stage handball in week one towards San Diego and an errant foul contained in the field in week two had been all justifiable offenses because the league is integrating VAR transferring ahead. The staff is conscious of the situations and Chicago head coach Chris Petrucelli is generally targeted on missed alternatives slightly than how the losses have come.
“I imply the possibilities had been there, there have been probabilities for certain,” Petrucelli informed media in post-game feedback. “Our high quality once we had the ball wasn’t typical of us. I felt like we gave the ball away too many occasions, the targets come from us giving the ball away. And I believe in any sport you play, you already know you are by no means going to complete all of your probabilities, and we did have some, however credit score to them. They need to win the sport.”
Team MVP’s
Ordonez, Houston Dash: After a scoreless week one, Houston’s massive offseason acquisition opened her goal-scoring account — a penalty kick conversion for the game-winner. But higher positioning on the pitch and total chemistry together with her wingers had been the true vibrant factors. Check out her aim:
Sanchez, Houston Dash: She earned the beginning after a small knock saved her out of the opening day lineup. The winger acquired into harmful areas on the pitch and was a continuing mark for Chicago’s protection after her opening aim.
Casey Krueger, Chicago Red Stars: Krueger’s return hit a short pause in week one when she was subbed out within the opening ten minutes of the match towards San Deigo as a precaution. The outdoors again supplied lockdown one-on-one defending and a presence on set items down the stretch. Her presence is a welcome return to the staff after being out final season on maternity depart.
“I really like enjoying with Casey, I’ve beloved enjoying together with her since day one,” veteran Chicago defender Arin Wright stated afterwards.
“When she’s on, I really feel like we do not even have to speak. She sees me on that bottom and [gets] that ball, that in the reduction of all the best way throughout the sphere to me. She hit it in all probability 3 times within the sport, which we struggled with that ball. We’re like dying as wingbacks for somebody to see that. Casey is a good participant. She makes everybody else round her look nice, too. So I imply she’s such an asset to have on our staff.”
