The Houston Dash earned a point on the road this afternoon after they played to a 1-1 draw with the Orlando Pride at Exploria Stadium.
Today’s draw gave the Dash the win in the season series after a 2-1 victory in Houston on June 26 and extended Houston’s unbeaten run against Orlando to nine consecutive games in all competitions since April 22, 2018. Dash head coach James Clarkson holds a 5-0-2 record against Orlando since joining the team in 2019.
Houston took the lead in the 10th minute after Pride defender Ali Riley intercepted a ball intended for Nichelle Prince inside the box. The defender lost control of the ball after her first touch, which left an opening for Dash captain Rachel Daly to capitalize with a shot to the far post for her fourth goal of the season.
The goal was Daly’s 28th in NWSL regular-season play, tying her with Kealia Ohai Watt for the team regular-season scoring record. Daly already owns the scoring record for Houston in all competitions with 33 goals.
Defensively, Dash defender Katie Naughton made her 100th NWSL appearance. Naughton finished with four clearances and seven recoveries against the Pride.
Orlando equalized in the 79th minute off a corner kick from Meggie Dougherty Howard that found Taylor Kornieck inside the box. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell got a hand on the headed shot, but the ball bounced off the crossbar and across the goal line.
Houston nearly doubled their lead in the 36th minute off a corner kick that dipped toward the crossbar at the back post. The ball was punched away by Pride goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and it fell to midfielder Shea Groom, whose shot was blocked at goal line. The ball ricocheted off players inside the box and was ultimately cleared by Orlando. Defender Allysha Chapman controlled the ball outside the box and found midfielder Kristie Mewis inside the penalty area for a half volley that Harris saved at the near post.
Houston was denied again in the 60th minute off a corner kick from Mewis. Harris went up to catch the ball inside the six-yard box, but lost control after colliding with forward Jasmyne Spencer. The Pride cleared the ball out of play before Groom could get a toe to it. Harris would leave the match with a concussion following a collision in the scramble for the ball.
Houston’s final chance of the second half came in the first minute of stoppage time from a Mewis corner kick. The cross found Daly inside the box, but her header went just wide of the far post.
The Dash return to BBVA Stadium on Friday to host the Chicago Red Stars for the third and final meeting of the regular season. Houston and Chicago split the first two meetings of the season with Houston earning a 2-1 victory on May 29 at home. Tickets for the match start at $12 and additional information is available at HoustonDash.com.