The National Women’s Soccer League regular season action continued on Sunday with three matches. Catch up on the highlights and insight from each below.
Kansas City Current 0, Houston Dash 2
The Skinny: The Houston Dash won a dubious penalty on Sunday to get the go-ahead goal against a Kansas City Current side that couldn’t convert their chances.
One Key Moment: Before we get to the soft penalty, Dash keeper Jane Campbell deserves some kudos for keeping her side on top in the match, as she made not one but two outstanding saves late to keep the clean sheet. The first was a reactionary kick-save to deny Kristen Hamilton (the highlight below), and an equally jaw dropping diving save on a rocket by Lo’eau LaBonta followed.
What a save from Jane Campbell! 
#KCvHOU | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/5s7rXaPx9O
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022
#KCvHOU | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/5s7rXaPx9O— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022
Inside the Game: Now to the penalty. In the 39th minute, Current defender Elizabeth Ball appeared to make contact – albeit minimal contact – with Dash forward Michaela Abam. Abam’s reaction didn’t seem to fit the severity of the contact, but the referee blew the whistle and pointed to the spot. Captain Rachel Daly calmly slotted the ball in, sending Adrianna Franch in the wrong direction.
And the Dash are ahead! Adrianna Franch guesses the wrong way, and Rachel Daly sinks the penalty!#KCvHOU | 0-1 pic.twitter.com/f8nLwjuN3m
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022
— The Equalizer (@EqualizerSoccer) May 8, 2022
We’re not asking referees to be perfect. That’s never going to happen, and that can’t be the standard that’s expected. But in the context of yesterday’s Challenge Cup mishaps (in other words, several serious challenges that should have been called as fouls, not to mention penalties, but were missed) this penalty call seems even more egregious. Consistency is needed across the league. Why are blatant fouls continuously missed, while softer ones like this are called?
After the halftime break, the Current applied pressure to the Dash, and had numerous chances on goal, but the Dash – and Campbell – did not break. Instead, Bri Visalli got in behind the Current defence in the last minute of stoppage time and was able to beat Franch for the insurance goal.
Houston’s win snapped Kansas City’s streak of three straight wins in all competitions, and was Sarah Lowdon’s first career win as acting head coach.
The Goals:
- Houston Dash — Rachel Daly (PK), 40′
- Houston Dash — Bri Visalli (Rachel Daly), 90’+6′
— Emily Dulhanty
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