In second stint, Romero shares experience
Houston has a special place in Dash defender Ari Romero’s heart.
Six-lane traffic jams and humidity excluded, 2019 has been a homecoming year for Romero.
Romero, who is from Glendale, Ariz., was selected by the Dash as the No. 7 pick in the 2014 NWSL expansion draft. After one season with the Dash, she was traded to Washington and then played a few more seasons internationally. Now, she’s back to where it all began.
The Dash signed Romero, 26, in March through the NWSL discovery process. Since then she has made appearances in seven games, starting in six.
Romero is two seasons removed from an anterior cruciate ligament tear. In her return, Romero said she struggled with finding her confidence and proving to herself she deserves to be in the league.
“Coming back from an injury is probably the toughest thing I’ve ever been through,” Romero said. “My biggest challenge is just living in the moment and knowing that I’m OK and playing at the top level. And even if I don’t feel like I’m at my top again, I’m getting there.”
The Dash (3-2-4, 13 points) are about halfway through their 2019 campaign. At first, Romero wasn’t the regular starter she is now.
“She wasn’t starting when we first got going, but she kept her head down, worked hard, really practiced” Dash coach James Clarkson said. “She always stays behind and does extra. These things don’t go unnoticed and now she’s forged her way into the starting lineup.”
Clarkson described Romero as the type of person who shows determination, perseverance and commitment in everything she does. And through a period where the team has had a number of players away at the Women’s World Cup, she’s been a valuable asset, he said.
Having experience playing the game in different parts of the world, Romero has learned from the best of the best, she said. She’s learned different styles of play, different tactics and she’s spreading that knowledge to those around her.
“If I’m one of the most experienced and one of the older players and, you know, it’s my job to bring up our rookies,” she said. “We’re not going to get better if I’m selfish with my knowledge and experience.”
Romero and forward Kealia Ohai are the only players on the 2019 roster from the inaugural Dash season. Between the two, Romero said it feels like they were never apart, nothing has changed.
“It’s been a good season,” Romero said. “Just coming back you get the jitters like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going back to my first team ever.’ ”
Romero and the Dash will take on Portland Thorns FC (4-1-4, 16 points) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday for Pride Night at BBVA Compass Stadium.
The Dash are coming off of a scoreless draw with the NWSL-leading Washington spirit. Romero said the previous match taught the team that it can compete with any club in the league.
“They’re top of the table, so it’s like ‘hey, we’re among the best,’ ” Romero said. “The ladder is super close so we just have to put our chances away. We’re definitely hanging in there.”