Washington match key after tough loss

Kealia Ohai has been around from the start, so she knows all about those blowouts the Dash suffered during their inaugural season in 2014.

The Dash lost five games by three goals that year as they tried to find their way in the fledgling NWSL. The last two seasons have been better from a competitive standpoint, but it did not feel that way last weekend.

The Dash lost to Seattle Reign FC 5-1, tying the largest loss margin in team history. Ohai, the only remaining original Dash player, said that loss felt like the first season.

It was 5-0 until Dash defender Poliana scored late, preventing the team from suffering the worst loss in franchise history.

“It is tough to keep fighting during the game,” said Ohai, who is in her second year as team captain. “I was proud with how we fought to the end.”

Time to respond

The Dash (1-1) have a chance to get it right Saturday night when they face the Washington Spirit at the Maryland Soccerplex. There are high hopes this year will be the best in team history, but that cannot happen if they fall too far behind in the standings.

“What is key is the next game,” Ohai said. “The first year we strung together three or four of those games. It was so hard to get out of it. The biggest thing for us is this Washington game and how we respond.”

Washington was seconds away from winning the NWSL championship at BBVA Compass Stadium last year before a goal by the Western New York Flash forced extra time.

Six of Washington’s top players from last year are gone. U.S. national team forward Crystal Dunn and leading scorer Estefania Banini signed with overseas clubs. National team defender Ali Krieger was traded as was national team prospect Megan Oyster, two-time Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Diana Matheson and the rising Christine Nairn.

Dash coach Randy Waldrum said he is not fooled, though, because there remain plenty of dangerous players in the Spirit’s lineup. Led by Estelle Johnson, Kassey Kallman, Shelina Zadorsky and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe, the defense has been solid.

“Washington still has a core of some really talented players,” Waldrum said. “There’s enough there that it is going to keep them in the battle in the league.”

The right attitude

Waldrum has emphasized working hard and having an edge in training this week. There may be rough nights like last week in Seattle, but they will not repeat themselves if the attitude is good in the aftermath.

Ohai said it took a couple of days to get over the 5-1 result. After the team finished its final training session of the week in Houston, she felt confident the Dash are in a good place and will respond with a strong performance.

“We’re training hard, we’re getting back,” Ohai said. “But you can still tell we’re (angry) about it.”