Seven Dash players close the year with national team duty

Seven players on the Houston Dash roster wrapped up a competitive year on the international stage this week with a pair of regional friendlies, qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and a trip Down Under.  

The U.S. Women’s National Team traveled to Austria with a pair of Dash players for their first visit Down Under since the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Midfielder Kristie Mewis and goalkeeper Jane Campbell were available off the bench for the USWNT against Australia in both friendlies. Mewis was subbed on during the 84th minute in the United States’ 3-0 victory on Nov. 26 in Sydney. Two days later, in Melbourne, Australia, Mewis was subbed on in the 70th minute in the 1-1 draw.  

Dash captain Rachel Daly earned the start in England’s backline against Austria on Nov. 27, and played a full 90 minutes helping the Lionesses earn a 1-0 victory. Daly was available off the bench on Tuesday evening against Latvia in their final World Cup qualifier of 2021, where England won 20-0.  

Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, forward Nichelle Prince, and defender Allysha Chapman wrapped up their gold medal winning year with two friendlies against Mexico. Chapman and Prince earned the starts for Canada in both friendlies. Mexico handed the Canadians their first loss since winning the gold medal at the Olympic games on Nov. 27 with a 2-1 loss in Mexico City. Canada closed the year with a draw against Mexico on Wednesday evening.  

Forward Michelle Alozie wrapped up training camp with the Nigerian Women’s National Team, who spent the week preparing for the upcoming Cote D’ivoire fixture as part of the Africa Women’s Championship in 2022.