Daly to return for Spirit
Forward Rachel Daly is back in action with the Dash and expected to make her post-Women’s World Cup debut against the Washington Spirit in Maryland on Saturday.
The Dash haven’t won a match since she left to join England’s national team in May. That’s seven straight. Their last victory was 2-1 over Utah Royals FC on May 11.
It’s frustrating, Dash coach James Clarkson said, because of how much work the players put in.
“We’re making too many individual collective mistakes, we’re getting punished for it and that’s the story of our season,” he said. “We’ve caused a lot of our own problems.”
The Dash offense is gaining power with Daly’s return, but its defense is taking a slight hit. Defenders Ari Romero and Clare Polkinghorne are ruled out for Saturday’s game.
Romero will be with the Mexican national team preparing for the 2019 Pan American Games. Polkinghorne had to fly home to Australia for personal reasons.
Still, midfielder Haley Hanson believes the team can come together and adjust for the tough schedule ahead. One game at a time, though.
“This point in the season, we know the players we have and we’re confident in their abilities and our abilities to work together as a group,” Hanson said.
The last time the Dash played the Spirit, it ended in a scoreless draw. Washington was leading in the standings at that point, but a lot has changed since. Washington (5-3-3, 18 points) is fourth in the National Women’s Soccer League; the Dash (3-5-4, 13 points) are seventh.
A win at Washington wouldn’t do much damage in the rankings. The Dash would jump to 16 points, but they’d be in the same position. The Dash trail Utah Royals FC and the Chicago Red Stars, who rank fifth and sixth, respectively, each with 17 points.
Even with a win, they’d be one point behind, which is why last weekend’s loss to Chicago was so crucial for the team.
Now the only thing the Dash can do is focus on the games ahead.
Clarkson said he is confident the team can pick up a win at Washington, but the match following that will be tough, against Portland Thorns FC (6-2-4, 22 points) in the Northwest.
“Portland is not going to be easy at all,” Clarkson said. “It’s an away trip, 20,000 people. It’s a tough place to go.”
The Dash will face Sky Blue FC on July 28 at BBVA Stadium hoping to pick up another three points.
The Dash won’t have much rest because their next few matches are close together.
With the Dash playing three games within a span of a little over a week, they won’t be able to practice much, Clarkson said.
And because of the travel, the staff has to balance the players’ work-rest ratio.
“Nutrition, rest and recovery become vitally important,” Clarkson said. “We try to get them in as well of a shape as possible when they step on the field.”
Saturday’s game was pushed back an hour to a 7 p.m. start because of hot weather in the D.C. area.