Dash winless in seven

5 kicks from Houston Dash's 0-1 loss to Chicago Red Stars

5 kicks from Houston Dash's 0-1 loss to Chicago Red Stars
Credit: Houston Dash

The Houston Dash fell 0-1 to the Chicago Red Stars on Saturday night. The result extends a winless streak of seven matches and a losing streak to three consecutive.

Here are five observations:

1) Winless without Daly

The last Dash win came on May 11, 2-1 at Utah Royals, thanks to a Rachel Daly double. Coincidentally, that was also Daly's last game played with the team.

Daly was red-carded in that encounter before parting for the FIFA Women's World Cup where she was part of England's run to the semifinals. She served her suspension with this match.

The Dash have drawn three and lost four without Daly. They hope her return in the next match will provide the offensive spark needed to get back to the early season winning ways.

2) Long distance shot was the difference

A shot from outside the box by Chicago's Katie Johnson was the lone goal of the match and all the Red Stars needed to take home the full three points. The opportunity came off a turnover in the 7th minute.

3) Kerr contained

The NWSL scoring leader Samantha Kerr was kept fairly quiet on the night. Renowned as one of the world's best female players, Kerr has 9 goals and one assist this season.

Her last visit to Houston actually started the current Dash slump. Kerr scored twice early in the first half for a 2-1 Red Stars win.

She is regarded as one of the best female players in the world, arguably the best depending on who you ask. Had you told the Dash they would hold Kerr scoreless, they would have taken it and have expected a win.

4) Kizer one for the future

NWSL rookie Cece Kizer was one of the bright spots in the second half. The former Ole Miss soccer star came off the bench to provide a much needed spark in the attack.

While the equalizer never came, Kizer showed speed and tactical ability that could see her earn increased playing time.

5) Sellout crowd announced

The announced attendance for Saturday's match was of 5,327 spectators, the largest for a Dash match this year. The increased crowd is credited to the 713 sales promotion ($7 tickets, $1 hot dogs, $3 beers) and the post-FIFA Women's World Cup boost.

Next match: Saturday, July 20 at Washington Spirit (YahooSports.com)

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Kyle Tucker returns to Houston this weekend. Composite Getty Image.

Two first-place teams, identical records, and a weekend set with serious measuring-stick energy.

The Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs open a three-game series Friday night at Daikin Park, in what could quietly be one of the more telling matchups of the summer. Both teams enter at 48-33, each atop their respective divisions — but trending in slightly different directions.

The Astros have been red-hot, going 7-3 over their last 10 while outscoring opponents by 11 runs. They've done it behind one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, with a collective 3.41 ERA that ranks second in the American League. Houston has also been dominant at home, where they’ve compiled a 30-13 record — a stat that looms large heading into this weekend.

On the other side, the Cubs have held their ground in the NL Central but have shown some recent shakiness. They're 5-5 over their last 10 games and have given up 5.66 runs per game over that stretch. Still, the offense remains dangerous, ranking fifth in on-base percentage across the majors. Kyle Tucker leads the way with a .287 average, 16 homers, and 49 RBIs, while Michael Busch has been hot of late, collecting 12 hits in his last 37 at-bats.

Friday’s pitching matchup features Houston’s Brandon Walter (0-1, 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and Chicago’s Cade Horton (3-1, 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), a promising young arm making one of his biggest starts of the season on the road. Horton will have his hands full with Isaac Paredes, who’s slugged 16 homers on the year, and Mauricio Dubón, who’s found a groove with four home runs over his last 10 games.

It’s the first meeting of the season between these two clubs — and if the trends continue, it may not be the last time they cross paths when it really counts.

BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Astros -112, Cubs -107; over/under is 8 1/2 runs

Here's a preview of Joe Espada's Game 1 lineup.

The first thing that stands out is rookie Cam Smith is hitting cleanup, followed by Jake Meyers. Victor Caratini is the DH and is hitting sixth. Christian Walker is all the way down at seventh, followed by Yainer Diaz, and Taylor Trammell who is playing left field.

How the mighty have fallen.

Pretty wild to see Walker and Diaz hitting this low in the lineup. However, it's justified, based on performance. Walker is hitting a pathetic .214 and Diaz is slightly better sporting a .238 batting average.

Screenshot via: MLB.com



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