The Houston Dash saw their four-game home unbeaten streak come to an end when FC Kansas City forward Shea Groom headed a shot into the back of the net in the 83rd minute, propelling the visitors to a 1-0 win at BBVA Compass Stadium tonight.
The game’s only goal came in the dying minutes as FC Kansas City captain Becky Sauerbrunn found Groom inside the box. The forward’s header beat Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell at the near post.
Dash captain Carli Lloyd left the game in the 28th minute with a left ankle injury. The U.S. Women’s National Team star fell to the ground after heading a ball inside the box, immediately reaching for her ankle.
Houston’s best scoring opportunity of the first half came in the fourth minute as midfielder Andressinha found Lloyd inside the box. Lloyd made contact with the ball, attempting to redirect it back across the face of the goal to the near post, but her shot went just wide.
Six minutes later, Andressinha found Lloyd again, but Sauerbrunn got a foot on the ball, sending it off of Dash forward Janine Beckie for a goal kick.
Lloyd forced a save from Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart in the 15th minute with a shot from outside the box. A minute later, Groom’s cross was tipped over the crossbar by Campbell.
Houston’s final scoring opportunity of the first half came in the 44th minute as forwardRachel Daly created space for Beckie outside the box. The forward’s cross was eventually handled by Barnhart at the near post.
FCKC midfielder Yael Averbuch took a free kick in the 54th minute that was inches away from finding the inside of the far post.
Houston forward Nichelle Prince forced a save in the 63rd minute after she dribbled past a defender to create space for a shot. Her effort was saved at the far post by Barnhart.
Barnhart would deny Prince again in the 73rd minute after Prince shot from the edge of the six yard box, but her effort bounced off the goalkeeper’s foot.
Andressinha found Daly outside the box in the 75th minute but her shot was saved by Barnhart who got a foot as she slid towards the forward.
The Dash play twice on the road this week, traveling to Boston to face the Breakers on Wednesday night and then flying cross-country to visit the Portland Thorns on Saturday night. Houston will next return home on Sunday, August 27 to host the North Carolina Courage at BBVA Compass Stadium at 7 p.m. CDT.
