Prince’s goal gives boost in standings
The standings don’t show it yet, but Carli Lloyd sees something in the Dash that eventually could have them in the top half of the league — a place they expected to be all the way back when the season began.
The Dash climbed another spot in the standings Saturday night with a 1-0 victory over the Boston Breakers in front of 5,337 fans at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dash (6-7-2) are unbeaten in their last six games, which is a club record. That run has the Dash in sixth place — a little more than one month after they found themselves last among the 10 teams.
It is perhaps no coincidence that the Dash’s rise began shortly after Lloyd returned. The two-time reigning FIFA Women’s Player of the Year embraced a leadership role upon her return from Manchester City.
After Saturday’s game, she said the Dash have turned the season around well enough that they can begin dreaming big.
“There’s no doubt in my mind we are a playoff team that could even go on to win an NWSL championship,” Lloyd said. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves. We have to focus one game at a time, which I think we’re doing.”
Rookie forward Nichelle Prince on Saturday scored the game’s only goal on a counterattack in the 23rd minute.
Andressinha dribbled through the middle of the park and then threaded the ball between two defenders to Prince and into the penalty area.
Prince touched it once and then set herself up for a right-footed shot from outside the right post. She finished on the short side for her third goal of the season.
“At this point in the season, young or old, we all need to be contributing,” Prince said. “I am doing the best I can. I am happy I could score for the team, but we all put in the effort today.”
Another Dash rookie — goalkeeper Jane Campbell — stood tall, too, with four saves. The biggest one came in the seventh minute when she punched a short-range header from Rosie White over the cross bar.
Campbell also got help from the woodwork in the 12th minute. Adriana Leon shot from inside 10 yards, but it hit off the underside of the cross bar and bounced out of the goal.
The Dash are off next weekend for an international break. They return to action Aug. 5 on the road against Portland Thorns FC.