Challenge Cup provides a jump-start to the season
Even though the Houston Dash aren’t opening their 22-game 2022 NWSL schedule until May 1, coach James Clarkson shouldn’t have trouble getting his players up for Sunday’s start of the Challenge Cup.
Clarkson said the Challenge Cup is not a preseason tournament. It’s more than that. And there’s also financial incentive to play well.
“We’re taking it seriously,” Clarkson said. “As a club, every opportunity you have to win something, it’s vitally important. How often do people get to win things? And at the end of their careers, they want to look at the medals. That’s what counts.
“We want to get straight into it, we want to compete. We’re going to try to win it. We want to win it.”
Houston hosts the Chicago Red Stars at 6 p.m. Sunday at PNC Stadium in the first of six group stages. The Dash are at Racing Louisville on Friday, home to Kansas City on March 30, at Chicago on April 2 and at Kansas City on April 15. The Dash conclude their group stage against Racing Louisville on April 24.
Semifinals are May 4. The final will be played May 7.
On the first day of May, Houston plays its first National Women’s Soccer League game of the season against expansion side San Diego Wave FC.
The regular season concludes on Oct. 2. Six of the 12 clubs qualify for the NWSL playoffs, with the top two seeds receiving a firstround bye.
The championship game is Oct. 29.
But for now, the Dash’s focus is on the Challenge Cup. The Dash aim to repeat their success of 2020, in which they won that season’s Challenge Cup. “These are really important games and hopefully everybody’s onboard,” Clarkson said. “Everybody (wants) to get onto the national team. This is your opportunity to show what you can do. But obviously, the long-term goal is to get into the playoffs and have a go at that.”
Returning as captains are goalkeeper Jane Campbell and forward Rachel Daly. Clarkson is expecting forward Nichelle Prince’s assist numbers to increase in her sixth year with the club and for her to reach the elite level of play.
Prince won Olympic gold representing the Canadian national team.
“James has always been supportive of where he thinks I can take my career and that’s very helpful,” Prince said. “I have those expectations for myself as well.”
Houston welcomes Mexico international Maria Sanchez to a club that missed the playoffs in 2021. With the addition of Sanchez, it allows the Dash’s forward line to be fluid and interchangeable.
“I’m super excited to play with her this year,” Prince said. “The fans can be excited about getting to watch her. Our front line is going to be very dynamic. Maria is great on both sides.”
On Saturday, the Dash signed midfielder Cali Farquharson to a one-year contract.
Clarkson feels this year’s Dash team will be better defensively than last year’s 95-10 club, and on the attacking side, there’ll be more creativity and have more ball movement.