Slow start dooms Houston Dash to 3-1 loss to Sky Blue FC

Houston Dash forward Kealia Ohai (7) goes a
gainst Sky Blue midfielder Sarah Killion (16).
Photto by Richard Fletcher, Bigshots Snapshots,
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 13, 2017) The Houston Dash seemed stymied by the Sky Blue FC offense and dropped a 3-1 decision to their NWSL opponent at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on Saturday, May 13, 2017. With the loss, the Dash drop to 2-3-0 in 2017 and extend their winless streak against Sky Blue which goes back to August 9, 2014 The only win Houston has against Sky Blue is a 3-0 decision on June 8, 2014, in their first-ever match against each other. Dash head coach Randy Waldrum’ record at home dropped to12-18-5, while the Dash drop to 1-5-3 against Sky Blue.

Sky Blue got one the scoreboard in the 33^rd minute when Sarah Killion converted a penalty kick. They added an insurance goal in the 52^nd minute by Leah Galton and in the 87^th minute by Samantha Kerr. Houston single goal came in the 76^th minute by Poliana. With her goal, Poliana moves into the top spot in goals for the Dash, tied with Kealia Ohai with two. Ohau talked about the Dash loss after the game.

“It wasn’t good enough. The first half was one of the worst halves I’ve ever seen us play, and it’s just not good enough. If we play like that, we’re not going to be able to come back from it, and the thing is if you get scored on three times, it’s very difficult to score four goals in a game. And that’s not just on the defense; that’s across the entire board. We have to stop getting scored on like this. It’s just so unacceptable and so frustrating that, I mean, there’s just nothing else to say, really. If you don’t defend one-v-one all over the field – it starts with the forwards – you’re going to lose. And I think that was the difference today.”

 Nichelle Prince (14) going against Sky Blue
goalie Kallen Sheridan )
Photto by Richard Fletcher, Bigshots Snapshots,
Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

Head coach Randy Waldrum also talked about the outcome of the game.

"Obviously, really disappointing. Second straight week with a really slow start. Just disappointed in how we came out. I think we get better in the second half. Disappointed in the performance. I felt like we would come in a get a win at home. Just disappointed from that standpoint.”

A noticeable absence on the pitch was Houston midfielder Denise O’Sullivan. She was listed as a probable starter prior to the game, but was not listed in the pregame lineup. The Cork, Ireland native has started in four game this season, totaling 297 minutes, and tallying one assist, two shots on target , and committing eight fouls.