Rachel Daly was named to the NWSL Team of the Month for July by the NWSL Media Association, the league announced earlier today.
The forward earned the honor after scoring three goals in the month, including two game-winners, leading the Dash to a 2-2-0 mark in July. This was the third time Daly has been named to the Team of the Month this season after key performances in March and May. The Harrogate, England is the first Dash player to earn the award more than once in the same season since it was first handed out at the beginning of the 2017 season.
The striker scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over the Orlando Pride on July 11. Kealia Ohai sparked a fast break that lead to Daly's first goal of the evening after she beat Pride GK Ashlyn Harris with a curling shot to the inside of the far post. The third-year veteran then scored the game-winning goal minutes into the second half. After her effort was cleared by Harris, Daly followed up on the rebound and struck the ball mid-air to beat the Pride goalkeeper at the near post.
Daly scored her second game-winning goal of the month in Houston's 1-0 victory over the Washington Spirit at the Maryland SoccerPlex on July 22. Sofia Huerta found the forward inside the box in the third minute of the game and Daly reached the ball just before a lunging effort from Spirit goalkeeper Aubrey Bledsoe for the only goal of the game.
With the three goals in July, Daly has now scored seven times in 2018, surpassing her previous single-season career high of five set last season.
Daly, Huerta, Ohai and the Dash return to league play on Sunday as they host Christen Press, Becky Sauerbrunn and Utah Royals FC in the club's inaugural Salute to Women Veterans game, presented by Sasol.
A special Salute to Women Veterans ticket package is available and includes one ticket to the game as well as a $5 donation to Trauma to Triumph - The W.A.V.E. Campaign, aimed at supporting homeless women veterans in Texas, for only $19. For tickets and additional information, visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/Salute.
