Salmon set to boost offense
Newly acquired forward will be immediately thrown into fray against K.C.
The Dash got a big addition this week, acquiring forward Ebony Salmon to bolster their attack. And the 21-year-old forward will see game action quickly with her new team.
Salmon will be on the pitch Friday when the Dash welcome FC Kansas City at PNC Stadium at 7:30 p.m. She’s a young, exciting, creative player who can score from inside the box as well as outside.
“She’s special,” acting head coach Sarah Lowdon said. “She’s got pace and a lot up upside. It’s a great pickup for us.”
The rising star was acquired Monday in a trade with Racing Louisville FC. Houston is sending Louisville $150,000 in allocation and is expecting a big return in goals scored.
Salmon, who scored a goal one minute into her National Women’s Soccer League debut in 2021, led Louisville with six goals last season. She will be a pivotal part of the game plan against Kansas City, according to Lowdon, who remains acting head coach before Juan Carlos Amoros takes over on an interim basis in the near future.
“We’re a team that scores on the counterattack. It just makes us even more dangerous in that aspect,” Lowdon said. “To be able to continue to have more firepower, that’s what we need. We need shutouts (from Jane Campbell), and we need to score goals, and Ebony can do that.”
The arrival of Salmon, who signed a contract extension to play for the Dash through the 2023 season, adds to the club’s frontline depth of Rachel Daly, Nichelle Prince and Maria Sanchez.
There’s already a friendly banter going on between Lowdown and the Dash newcomer, who are both from England. Lowdon is a Newcastle supporter, Salmon a follower of Manchester United.
Lowdon said teammates have been receptive to Salmon, who has felt welcomed from the start.
“It says a lot about team culture when you don’t have to step in as a coach and force interactions,” Lowdon said. “It’s already happening. I’ve seen players talking to Ebony, talking to all four national team replacement players (Meagan Rosa, Kayla Hamric, Haley Berg, Machaela George) on the sideline in training, and in and around the facility.”
The Dash (4-2-3), with 15 points and in fourth in NWSL standings, will have a different look Friday. Key pieces are missing because of international call-ups. The departures include Daly (England) and Sanchez (Mexico). Representing Canada are Prince, Allysha Chapman and Sophie Schmidt.
Because of an altered roster, a number of the Dash will see their minutes increase against Kansas City. Talented players who haven’t been featured as much,include Joelle Anderson and Natalie Jacobs.
“This is what they wanted training every day,” Lowdon said. “Just being able to get the opportunity.”
Veteran midfielder Shea Groom, 29, said she’s ready to carry more weight for the team.
“I have an important role,” said Groom, who began her professional career in 2015 with Kansas City. “Making sure these younger players know that they’re going to be stepping in these roles and to be confident and to try to get the best out of them. My role has evolved a bit, but we’ve had many people on this team be leaders, and that’s what makes us special.
“Being one of the nonnational team players that’s still here in the starting lineup, I feel good. I feel ready to go, and I think they (the coaching staff) have done really well at managing my minutes throughout the season. I feel really fresh.”
Add Groom to the list of players excited about the arrival of Salmon, who challenges backlines with her speed. It should make for a good partnership on the pitch between the two.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations,” said Groom, one of three Dash players to appear in every match this season. “She’s looking to set the ball to me and watch me get in behind, and vice versa. She’s done really well so far adapting. It’s hard to come in and play a game your first week. Excited to build our chemistry.”
Houston lost twice to Kansas City this season in the Challenge Cup and understands the challenges the Current present.
Kansas City, among four teams sharing seventh at nine points, is known for playing multiple systems. It will be without Desiree Scott on Friday, but threats come from Hailie Mace, who is featured in the wing back position, as well as Kristen Hamilton, Cece Kizer and Lo’eau LaBonta.
“I think it’ll be a game of counterattack,” Lowdon said. “It’s going to be really important to be able to stop them in transition. But also, when we’re in transition, not giving the ball away.”
Lowdon felt Houston in its previous game at North Carolina — a 4-3 victory — turned the ball over too many times, resulting in getting out of formation.