Healthy Andressa, Brian could boost midfield
One month seems like a good time to check in with a team and determine if the season is off to a good or bad start.
But in the case of the Dash (2-2-0), the grade would be an incomplete.
Through the first four games, the midfield has been a patchwork job while starters Andressa and Morgan Brian have nursed injuries. Andressa (hamstring) started the season opener April 15 but has not played since. Brian (knee) made her season debut last weekend when she played the final 19 minutes.
Asked to assess the performance of the midfield, coach Randy Waldrum said it would not be fair.
“It is hard because we haven’t really had our midfield through four games,” Waldrum said. “It has not been anywhere close to where we all want it to be.”
That could change soon. Andressa and Brian both could play at least 45 minutes apiece Saturday afternoon when the Dash face Sky Blue FC at 3 p.m. at BBVA Compass Stadium live on Lifetime.
Because they have missed significant time, their fitness levels are not up to 90 minutes. During the time they do play, though, the middle of the field should get a major boost.
Midfielder Amber Brooks and attacking player Denise O’Sullivan have started all four games. The third spot has been a mixture of defender Claire Falknor, forward Janine Beckie and forward Rachel Daly.
As a result, the hold-up play, possession and passing have suffered. The Dash were exposed in the midfield in losses to Seattle Reign FC and the Chicago Red Stars. In the two victories, the midfield play was adequate.
“(Andressa and Brian) can set tempo and help us keep (the ball), which is what we’ve been struggling with,” Brooks said. “They are good under pressure. They enable us to play a ball to them under pressure and they can either solve it themselves or quickly get it to someone who can.”
Getting Andressa and Brian back will also help the Dash build an attack rather than having to play direct all the time. That approach can work with speedy forwards Kealia Ohai and Rachel Daly, but if that is a team’s only threatening option, it is easier to defend.
Brian and Andressa are creative and great at picking passes that can stretch the defense. Adding that variable could vault the Dash into the discussion of playoff contenders.
“I think we’ve been missing someone to connect the lines,” Brian said. “We have a very good midfield, and our strength is our midfield. Once we get everyone back and healthy, it will be fun to watch.”