History was made today in Houston with the inaugural game for the DASH. Visiting opponents Portland Thorns were kept busy until the final whistle. Injuries to both Brittany Bock (right knee sprain) and Kealia Ohai (right ankle injury) left the Dash shorthanded for upwards of nine minutes to start the match, yet Houston largely controlled play, understaffed as they were. The referee disallowed a Houston goal in the closing seconds – with the game ending at 0-1. A pity, because the Dash had a few good opportunities. Although the Dash lost the game, the fans and spirit of the team could not be dashed (groan). Here are few photos from your crack reporter on the scene (Houston in orange):
The Dash goalkeeper, Canadian superstar Erin McLeod (above), made several great saves to keep Houston in the game. What was really cool was how she fired up the ball-girls after the game was over as well. Now that’s leadership:
Towards the end of the game, the Dash missed several opportunities to tie the game. Stephanie Ochs had a chance in the 76th minute, finding an opening at the top of the penalty area to chest down a long ball from Noyola and getting a shot away that sailed high. The big disappointment was the final minute, when Dash midfielder Becky Edwards redirected a headed ball from Osinachi Ohale past Angerer and into the net. The 8,097 fans in attendance subdued their exultations after they spotted the assistant referee’s flag raised for offside, and the center official ended the match just moments later. Very vexing, indeed.
Dash Coach and native Texan Randy Waldrum was justifiably upbeat. I got a glimpse Houston Dynamos’ Brad Davis (left of center, in black and white shirt) watching the game from behind the net.
Houston: herstory not history, has begun!
