Ohai looks to win Golden Boot, end choppy season on high note
Finale offers third-year forward a chance to claim league award
After a dizzying and out-of-nowhere run to the top of the stat sheet, Kealia Ohai will have the final say on who wins the NWSL’s Golden Boot in 2016.
She will get to do it on national television, too.
Sunday night, the thirdyear forward will lead the Dash in their regular-season finale against Seattle Reign FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. The game will air live on Fox Sports 1.
Ohai is tied for the league lead with 10 goals — all in the last nine games. The four players who are tied, or within two goals of her, will complete their seasons by the time the Dash kick off.
While Ohai would like to win the award, she said it is most important that the Dash (6-9-4) finish the season on a high note. Though the Dash cannot make the playoffs, a victory would give them a team record for wins and points.
“It doesn’t feel good to just get stats and goals,” Ohai said. “I want to produce somehow for this team, but winning is my main focus.”
The Dash have done plenty of that since the return of seven Olympians. They have won three of their last four, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Adding to that will be difficult on Sunday. History will not be on the Dash’s side, either. They have lost all six games to Seattle, making Sunday’s visitors the only team the Dash never have taken a point from.
“We’ve been good the last five weeks and six or seven games,” coach Randy Waldrum said. “I’d like to finish that way and keep some consistency with how we’ve been playing.”
Waldrum will have an extra bounce in his step this weekend, even though his three-year contract expires after the season. He said on Friday that, although no contract has been signed, he and president Chris Canetti have had positive discussions about his return next season. Waldrum said he expects to be back.
Ohai is likely to be back, too. She would love to return with momentum for herself and the team. Injuries and international absences limited the Dash throughout the season. Next year presents a fresh start as the club aims for its first playoff berth.
“We want to end on a high note and set the tone for next season,” Ohai said. “We have our whole roster, so we’re excited to see everyone playing together as that final product. Hopefully, that is more of what we’re going to look like next season.”