Ending Seattle’s stranglehold a great way to start win streak
No matter how great the Dash felt after winning last weekend’s season opener, they know it will not mean much in the long run unless they can put winning streaks together on a regular basis.
Their first opportunity to do that comes in perhaps the most difficult place. The Dash travel to Seattle for a Saturday night game at Memorial Stadium.
Seattle is the only National Women’s Soccer League team the Dash never have beaten. In fact, they have yet to earn a point. They are 0-7 in their first three seasons.
“Putting some wins together is important so you can start to gain some momentum,” Dash coach Randy Waldrum said. “We don’t have a history of doing that. This would be a big step for us if we can go on the road and do it in Seattle because it’s not an easy place to get a result.”
The Dash have a few
things on their side this time.
Led by first-year center back tandem Bruna Benites and Janine Van Wyk, the defense is coming off a great second-half performance in the 2-0 victory over the Chicago Red Stars.
Forwards Kealia Ohai and Rachel Daly are in good form and confident after scoring in the opener.
The Dash may have to play without attacking midfielders Morgan Brian and Andressa, who have been bothered by injuries. Brian missed the opener.
Seattle will be without two midfield starters from last season as Kim Little transferred to Arsenal, and Keelin Winters retired.
Saturday’s hosts are still loaded, though. The attacking trio of Megan Rapinoe, Beverly Yanez and Nahomi Kawasumi are a handful. Lauren Barnes is the reigning NWSL Defender of the Year. Goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer is coming off an eight-save outing that netted her the league’s Player of the Week award.
It is a tall task, but this year’s Dash team is the best suited to get the job done. Defender Cari Roccaro said the Dash need to build momentum off last week’s victory.
“It was great to get the win at home, but we have to remember we got the win at home against Chicago last year and fell apart a couple of games later,” Roccaro said. “To get two wins in a row would be gigantic.
“To get a few wins on the road will be huge for us because we don’t want to be 1-3 in the next few weeks. We are focusing on going to Seattle and getting a win.”