Dash learning to live without Lloyd sooner than expected
The Dash always had a plan to deal with the absence of Carli Lloyd. They just didn’t know it would happen so soon.
With this summer’s Olympic Games expected to take Lloyd and several other national team players away from Houston, the Dash in the offseason built a roster that could compete in the NWSL without them.
Lloyd, the World Player of the Year and United States National Team captain, suffered a right knee injury last weekend and will miss three to six weeks. Thanks to some great draft picks and other signings, the Dash do not expect to be far from top form when they play host to Sky Blue FC Friday night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
“We are in a much better place to cope with (Lloyd’s injury) because we’re so much deeper than we’ve ever been,” coach Randy Waldrum said. “Losing her last year would kill you because you needed her to play.”
The Dash (1-1) flashed that depth in the season opener against the Chicago Red Stars. Rookies Rachel Daly and Janine Beckie scored two of the three goals, and Daly assisted on the third scored by Lloyd.
Beckie has been on both sides of a game with Lloyd. Before the season opener, Beckie was on the bench with Canada as it faced the United States in the championship game of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
“I’m definitely happy to play with her (instead of against her),” Beckie said. “She is a physical force and can do some things on the ball not many players can do. She is a game changer. She’s the kind of player you want on the field if she’s on your team and the kind of player you don’t want on the ball if you’re playing against her.”
Beckie and Daly have plenty of company at the front of the attack. Kealia Ohai, Chioma Ubogagu and Stephanie Ochs provide some scoring punch, too.
The midfield may be the best in the league with Lloyd on the pitch, but it is still among the elite without her. Brazilian Andressa is a budding star. Morgan Brian is a regular starter with the U.S. National Team.
Newcomer Denise O’Sullivan has shown well in her first two training sessions after coming from Ireland. Amber Brooks gives the club an edge in the defensive half of midfield. With Brooks out of town for a wedding on Saturday, Cami Privett is likely to show she can contribute, too.
No matter who rises to the challenge in Lloyd’s absence, the Dash are likely to miss her scoring punch from the midfield. Not many players in the world over the last year have created as many dangerous scoring opportunities as she has.
On the other hand, Houston could gain on defense because whoever fills in will not have as much freedom to move forward.
Details aside, the most important thing for the Dash is that they are not feeling sorry for themselves because they’re missing their best player. They’re looking forward to showing they’re not a one-woman show.
“She is a great foundation for the way we play, but I think this is the first year Randy can say that we have enough depth to compensate for losing her,” Beckie said. “We have the players to pick us up and take us into the next game. It will be different without her presence in the midfield, but the talent we are going to put out on the field Friday will be good.”