Match preview: KC NWSL @ Houston Dash

Match Details

KC NWSL (0-0-1)
@ Houston Dash (0-1-0)

When: Sunday, May 23 | 6:00 PM CT

Where: BBVA Stadium | Houston, TX

Live Stream: Paramount+ (Free trials of the streaming service are available, and plans start at $5.99 per month.)

Kansas City NWSL continues the 2021 NWSL season with a stop in Houston to face the Dash. It’s the second match of 2021 between the two sides. Kansas City opened 2021 at Children’s Mercy Park against Houston on April 26 in the NWSL Challenge Cup. The Dash were the better team that night, winning 3-1 behind two goals from midfielder Kristie Mewis.

What we’re watching

Kansas City earned a point against Racing Louisville in the season opener, a positive for the club, especially after a rough Challenge Cup campaign. It was the team’s first clean sheet of 2021 as well, which was one of the team’s goals going into the match. The game showed an improvement from the struggles of the tournament, but KC is still looking for their first win of 2021. If they are able to keep Houston’s attacking on check, KC could get their first win in franchise history.

Head coach Huw Williams will likely continue making adjustments, trying to find his best eleven as key players continue to battle injuries. KC will have to work without midfielder Lo LaBonta who is out with a right lower leg injury. Australian midfielder Choler Logarzo is also out with an injury for the second week in a row. Newly-signed rookie Kiki Pickett starts her NWSL career sidelined with a left thigh injury. But defender Elizabeth Ball, off the injury list last week, could make her 2021 debut, and that will be a strength to the defense.

Houston is a gritty and physical team, and they faired well against Kansas City in their last meeting. If they push KC around again, the Dash may earn their first win of the season after falling to NY/NJ Gotham FC last week. Besides their 3-1 win against Kansas City, the Dash have only scored one goal across all competitions in 2021. They’ve been in the bottom half of the league in shots and shots on target throughout the Challenge Cup. Improving from those stats for the season, Houston outshot Gotham 21-9 and had four shots on goal to Gotham’s two. Houston conceded a goal in the 30th minute, however, and couldn’t capitalize on their chances.

KC NWSL Injury Report

OUT: Arielle Ship (Season-Ending - Right Lower Leg), Chloe Logarzo (Left Hip), Diana Matheson (Left Foot), Kiki Pickett (Right Thigh), Lo’eau LaBonta (Right Lower Leg)

Projected Line Up: 4-3-3

Barnhart (GK)
Edmonds, Corsie, Leach, Ball
Vincent, Scott, Pickett
Weber, Rodriguez, Jenkins

Prediction: Draw, 1-1