Houston Dash falls to Sky Blue FC on Carli Lloyd brace

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (August 24, 2019) Kealia Ohai (shown right) got the Houston on the score board in added time of the second half, however it was not enough to overcome two Carli Lloyd goals as the Dash fell to Sky Blue FC by the score of 2-1 at BBVA Stadium in Houston. It was the second goal of the season for Ohai, in a game that saw Houston outshoot Sky Blue 18-13. The two goals for Lloyd raised her total for the season to four. The 18 shots by Houston was a season-high and didn't include the two shots that hot the crossbar.

Lloyd's goals came in there 26th abd 41st minutes and came off of assists by Jennifer Hoy and Raquel Rodriguez, respectively. Arian Caide received the assist for Ohai's goal; the first of the season. Ohai discussed the outcome after the fame.

“We were really disappointed in the first half of this game. We started terribly. Maybe this half was our worst we have ever played. It was frustrating because it was on us. We gave up. Those were Sky Blue’s goals but both were mistakes. It’s really frustrating. But I am very proud that we fought until the end of the game. We had a lot of unlucky shots. But it was on us.”

Dash head coach James Clarkson also weighed in on the game.

“First half, I’m really disappointed. But first half I thought we were terrible and dug ourselves into a really big hole. Credit to Sky Blue I thought they played well the first half. They out fought us. They worked harder than us. It’s not acceptable—first half we were terrible, second half it got a little bit better. We’ve created enough chances to win the game but I’m sure Sky Blue are probably thinking they could have scored more goals tonight as well—so a really frustrating and disappointing night.”

Photo by
Darla Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

Lloyd (shown left) talked about her brace for Sky Blue after the game.

“I feel really good. I think I’m at a point in my career where everything feels in sync. I feel very balanced with my body and my life. I physically feel the best I’ve felt. I feel efficient with my running and I feel I’m a much smarter player as I’ve gotten older. This was the plan and the evolution all along in my career. In these last couple of years in my career there’s been tactical changes I’ve made. It’s all about getting better every single day. I’m okay with always being uncomfortable and not always being so good at something at training and sticking with it, getting the reps and becoming better at it."

The Dash travel to Chicago on September 8 to face the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park.

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Lloyd scores 100th international goal to lead USA to 6-2 win over Mexico

Story and photo by Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2018 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 8, 2018) In a game that saw Carli Lloyd score her 100th international goal along with Alex Morgan's two goals, the U.S. Women's National Team downed Mexico 6-2 in an international friendly match at Houston's BBVA Compass Stadium. On Thursday, April 5, the USA also downed Mexico 4-1 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Americans did not waste any time scoring when Mallory Pugh got around the Mexican defense and scored her 11th international goal to put the USA up 1-0 in the third minute. Mexico responded 14 minutes later when Monica Ocampo drilled the ball, from the left side, past goalkeeper Jane Campbell to tie the score. The goal was the 14th international goal of her career, which leads the current Mexico team roster.

El Tri took the lead in the game when Kiana Palacios scored off a corner kick by Ocampo in the 17th minute. After that, the USA scored three unanswered goals to close out the first half of play with a 4-2 lead. The first of the three goals came from Lindsay Horan in the 25th minute. Nine minutes later Lloyd headed in the third American goal, and her 100th international goal, from the center of the goal area with an assist from Morgan. With two minutes remaining on the half, Morgan tallied her 84th international gaol to put Brian the USA up 4-2. Megan Rapinoe was credited with two assists in the first half; on the goals by Horan and Morgan. The United States padded their lead in the second half with goals by Rapinoe (64th minute) and Morgan (69th minute). It was the 36th international goal for Rapinoe and 85th for Morgan. 

Three Americans saw their first action for Team USA. Haley Hanson (Houston Dash), Hallie Mace (UCLA), and Tegan McGrady (Stanford) all received their first cap for the United States. Hanson came into the game in the 40th minute to replace Horan. Mace entered the game in the 50th minute for Tierna Davidson, while McGrady took over for Pugh in the 58th minute.

Houston Dash upend Chicago Red Stars 2-0 to kickoff 2017 NWSL season

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications 

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 15, 2017) Kealia Ohai picked up where she had left off and scored the first goal of the Houston Dash season, as they downed the Chicago Red Stars by the score of 2-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. On this blistering hot Saturday, April 15, 2017, Ohai drilled the ball cross net from the left side, past goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher in the 15^th minute.  They added an insurance goal in the 80^th minute when Rachel Daly got her first goal of the season with a floating shot to the far post. Houston and Chicago have played eight times previously since 2014, with the Dash coming out on top just once. That win was a 3-1 victory on April 16, 2016. Houston is now 2-3-4 lifetime against the Red Stars.

The Dash were without the services of midfielder Carli Lloyd, who informed the team earlier in the year she would be joining England’s Manchester City FC for the early part of 2017. She is not scheduled to return to Houston until possibly June. Lloyd was one of five players who scored multiple goals in 2016, leaving the Dash shorthanded on offense for the foreseeable future. The offensive leadership of Houston may be left up to Ohai, who was tied for the NWSL lead in 2016 with 11 goals.  Her goals-plus-assists total of 14 (11 goals plus three assists) in 2016 placed her third in the NWSL behind Jessica McDonald and Lynn Williams, with 17 and 16, respectively. Both McDonald and Williams played for the Western New York Flash. They both now play for the North Carolina Courage, which is the rebranded Flash after they were purchased by the North Carolina FC. In 2016, Ohai led the Dash with 11 goals, playing in 20 game. She was followed by Lloyd with 5 points (seven games), Daly (four goals in 16 games, Janine Beckie (three goals in 14 games), and Denise O’Sullivan (two goals in 18 games).

Next up for the Dash will be a three-game road trip beginning on April 22 against the Seattle Reign. They follow that up with stops in Washington (April 29) and Chicago (May 6). They return home on Saturday, May 13 with a 3 p.m. CT matchup against Sky Blue FC.