Salmon’s hat trick propels upset win
From James Clarkson to Sarah Lowdon, and now Juan Carlos Amoros, the Houston Dash are playing for their third head coach in 2022.
Amoros made his Houston and National Women's Soccer League debut as interim head coach on Saturday night at PNC Stadium. And it was a victorious occasion, with Ebony Salmon also in the spotlight.
Salmon delivered a hat trick, propelling the Dash to a convincing 4-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars, who came in on a nine-game unbeaten streak. The Dash conceded a late goal in the 88th minute.
The Dash (5-4-3) persevered despite several obstacles.
Besides playing a surging opponent, several Dash players were unavailable because of international duty, as well as Houston goalkeeper Jane Campbell and defender Julia Ashley, both starters, who are in COVID-19 protocol. It was announced on Friday that midfielder Makamae Gomera-Stevens is out for the season with an ACL tear.
Lindsey Harris started in goal for Houston, compiling four saves. One of her best saves came in the 36thminute of a 1-0 game when she deprived Ella Stevens, who was in a one-on-one situation eight yards out.
Houston struck on its first shot on goal in the 11th minute. High pressure from Groom caused a turnover. Groom laid the ball off to recently acquired Salmon, who from the right side of the box finished into the bottom left corner past goalkeeper Emily Boyd.
In the 41st minute, Boyd denied Salmon.
But in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, Salmon got the best of Boyd again. Salmon, who joined the Dash June 27 in a trade with Racing Louisville FC, took a long ball over the top from Natalie Jacobs, drilling the ball into the bottom left corner.
In the 55th minute, Salmon finished a counterattack started by Ryan Gareis, making it 3-0. Joelle Anderson scored her first career goal in the 93rd minute to conclude the
scoring. Cali Farquharson picked up the assist.
In the 84th minute, 19year-old defender Paulina Gramaglia replaced Groom, becoming the youngest player to appear in a game for the Dash.
There's been three hat tricks this season in the NWSL. The Dash have two. Nichelle Prince scored the first hat trick in Dash history on June 2 in a 5-0 victory over Orlando.
Chicago (5-2-5) had the NWSL's longest active unbeaten streak. The Red Stars had gone nine matches without defeat and came in with only one loss.
Chicago and Houston met earlier in the year during the Challenge Cup, beginning in April, with the Red Stars winning both matches. Playing for the first time in the regular season, both sides came into Saturday in the top half of the league standings.
Amoros is still getting acclimated to his new the situation and the players. Finding which players need to be pushed and who produces more off positive feedback.
The Spaniard takes over from acting head coach Lowdon, who is now first assistant. On May 1, Lowdon replaced Clarkson, who was suspended by the team as coach and general manager following an investigation following complaints of discrimination, harassment and abuse.
Several of Houston's players are still with respective national teams competing in international tournaments. Forward Rachel Daly and England have advanced to the knockout stage of the UEFA Women's Euro tournament.
Representing Canada in the CONCACAF women's championship are Prince, Sophie Schmidt and Allysha Chapman. Maria Sanchez and Mexico were unable to make it out of the group stage, meaning Sanchez was eligible for selection on Saturday.
Sanchez trained Thursday and Friday with the Dash at Houston Sports Park and was determined to be fit and recovered from a heavy workload of late. She was in the starting lineup on Saturday.
Chicago was without forward Mallory Pugh, who is on international duty with the U.S. women's national team.
The Dash, who improved to 2-3-1 at home, rebounded from a 1-0 defeat at Orlando last week. Chicago was coming off a 2-2 draw at home against North Carolina, a game the Red Stars scored twice in second-half stoppage time.
Amoros was named Houston's interim coach on June 15 and will direct the team for the remainder of the 2022 campaign. He has more than 10 years ‘experience coaching in the top Spanish (Real Betis) and English (Tottenham) women's leagues.