THE BASICS
Houston Dash at Boston Breakers
Sunday, April 26, 4:00 p.m. CT
Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium, Boston, MA
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Stream: HoustonDashSoccer.com/live – 4:00 p.m.
REFEREE: Danielle Chesky. Assistant Referees: Ian McKay, Michael Dee; 4th Official: Randall Kelly
PREVIEW
The Houston Dash (1-0-1, 4 points) look to continue their unbeaten start to 2015 on the road against the Boston Breakers (0-1-0, 0 points) at Soldiers Field Soccer Stadium. The Dash claimed a point in a 1-1 draw against Sky Blue FC last Saturday in their first road trip of the year. Boston lost 4-1 to Portland Thorns FC on opening weekend and did not play last week. This is Boston’s home opener.
INJURY REPORT (as of Friday, April 24)
HOUSTON DASH -- OUT: Brittany Bock (left ACL surgery); PROBABLE: Ashley Nick (left hand fracture); Ella Masar (nasal fracture, left hand injury)
BOSTON BREAKERS -- OUT: Cat Whitehill (bruised left ribs; PROBABLE: Stephanie Verdoia (right ankle spain)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
- ALL TIME (3 meetings): Dash 2 wins, 5 goals … Breakers 1 win, 4 goals
- AT BOSTON (2 meetings): Dash 1 win, 3 goals … Breakers 1 win, 1 goal
- LAST YEAR: 4/20: BOS 2, HOU 3 (O’Reilly 1; Lohman 70 – Masar 50; Noyola 81, 85); 7/11: HOU 2, BOS 1 (Ohai 56, 61 – Schoepfer 5); 8/17: BOS 1, HOU 0 (Mewis 77)
- FUTURE MATCHE: 8/30: Houston Dash vs. Boston Breakers, 7:30 p.m. CT
SCOUTING THE BOSTON BREAKERS
The Boston Breakers began their 2015 campaign with a 4-1 loss to Portland Thorns FC on opening weekend. Boston has a 15-day layoff in between their first match and Sunday’s game against the Dash, which is Boston’s home opener. Stephanie McCaffrey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2015 NWSL College Draft and a product of Boston College, scored the lone goal for the Breakers. Boston also features goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who was recently named to the U.S. Women’s National Team roster for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
REVAMPED DEFENSE HOLDS STRONG
The Houston defense has faced some reshuffling coming into the year, but has held its own in the early games. After posting a shutout in the opening match, the team allowed their first goal against Sky Blue FC but limited chances on the whole. Left back Meghan Klingenberg and center back Niki Cross have anchored the line, playing every minute. Converted forwards Stephanie Ochs and Ella Masar played their first minutes at center back and right back, respectfully, in the season opener and reprised those roles in the second half against Sky Blue. They replaced Canadians Lauren Sesselmann and Allysha Chapman, who made their debuts against Sky Blue but will miss Sunday’s match.
KINNEMAN CALLED UP
With the absence of Canadians Erin McLeod, Lauren Sesselmann and Allysha Chapman, the Dash have called up amateur goalkeeper Megan Kinneman for Sunday's match. Kinneman was also called up and served as Bianca Henninger's back-up in the opening day win over the Washington Spirit.
