On Tuesday, the Houston Dash and Utah Royals started their 2020 Challenge Cup with a thrilling 3-3 draw. Here are three things we learned.
The second day of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup kicked off with a thrilling 3-3 draw between the Utah Royals and the Houston Dash. The host Royals got on the scoresheet first with Diana Matheson scoring in the 35th minute for her first goal after missing the 2019 season due to injury.
Houston fought back with two goals of their own coming from Rachel Daly either side of half-time. Daly then looked to have earned a hat-trick but the goal was called off. The Dash didn’t have to wait much longer for that third goal, though, as Shea Groom fired home from just inside the box to establish what seemed to be a comfortable lead and a win in their first match of the competition.
But Utah fought back. Two goals in the final ten minutes earned 3-3 draw. Dash defender Megan Oyster was called for a handball just outside the box and Vero Boquete rifled it into the net, before rookie Tziarra King earned a point for Utah in her debut appearance, heading in a set-piece to end the game 3-3.
After the most entertaining match in the tournament so far, here are three things we learned.
3. Houston new signings deliver
While Rachel Daly’s performance will steal the headlines, we cannot forget about the impact Houston’s new signing had on the opening match. This offseason was a busy one for the Dash, losing Sofia Huerta and Kealia Watt who contributed seven of the club’s 21 goals from 2019. However, Houston brought in Shea Groom and Katie Stengel, and they paid dividends in the first game.
Stengel came close to scoring against her former team early on when she broke free on a set-piece and Daly delivered a perfect ball but Utah’s Abby Smith kept it out to stay scoreless. While Stengel would not get on the scoresheet against Utah, she made an impact with fellow newcomer Groom who sent a perfect Stengel pass into the back of the net.
Stengel sent in a perfect ball from just outside the penalty box on the left where Groom took it first-time and fired it far post to earn herself a goal and Stengel an assist on their Houston debuts.
After an abysmal 2019, the Challenge Cup gives the chance for the Dash to turn their fate around. While it was only the first game, the newcomers’ performance was encouraging and points to a brighter future in Houston.