Sky Blue FC Vs Houston Dash: 3 things we learned

On Wednesday, Sky Blue FC took a surprising 2-0 win over the Houston Dash to move into second of the NWSL Challenge Cup standings. Here are three things we learned.

Sky Blue FC found its first goal of the Challenge Cup and first win of the competition on Wednesday by defeating the Houston Dash 2-0 in one of the biggest shocks so far. The match started with both teams having possession and creating some chances, and in the 17th minute, Sky Blue found the breakthrough.

Ifeoma Onumonu slipped a perfect ball past the Dash defense and into the feet of Paige Monaghan. She dribbled past Houston keeper Jane Campbell and made no mistake with an empty net to make it 1-0.

It didn’t take much longer for Sky Blue to double the lead. In the 34th minute, Nahomi Kawasumi caught out Campbell for being off her line, shot from about 40 yards out, and handed her side an unassailable 2-0 lead.

Here are three things we learned.

3. The old Dash reappear

The first two games got fans excited about what was brewing in Houston. They led the tournament with five goals and were a last-second header away from two wins in two matches. This game against Sky Blue FC, who were bottom of the table at the time, seemed like another shot for the Dash to maintain their excellent momentum.

However, Sky Blue slowed the Dash, limiting their quick, direct attacking play that allowed them to thrive earlier in the tournament. Sky Blue pressed high up the field with the likes of Ifeoma Onumonu and Jennifer Cudjoe winning the ball to prevent Houston from building attacks and even creating chances for themselves.

In the second half, the Dash tried to press high up the field more to regain the offense from the first two games. Sky Blue, though, were able to get through that press and limit Houston’s chances.

Houston shocked the league with their performance in the first two matches. This, though, was reverting to type, perhaps suggesting they are not quite ready to compete with the elite teams in the NWSL.