The Houston Dash have an opportunity to make franchise history Sunday when they face the Chicago Red Stars in the final game of the National Women’s Soccer League Challenge Cup at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Before the tournament, the Dash had never made the playoffs. But they’ve made their way through with wins over the Utah Royals FC and the Portland Thorns in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. A win over Chicago would bring Houston’s first trophy.
But the Red Stars have plenty of experience playing in big games. They made the NWSL final last season, losing to the North Carolina Courage.
CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
HOUSTON DASH VS. CHICAGO RED STARS
At Rio Tinto Stadium
When • 10:30 a.m.
TV • CBSSN
The Red Stars advanced to the tournament final with a 3-2 win over Sky Blue FC.
Red Stars coach Rory Dames, however, feels that the circumstances players endured during the tournament are so different from a regular season that he doesn’t take much from last season’s final. But the prospect of getting his players more knockout game experience — particularly the ones replacing injured players — is exciting, he said.
“We came here for growth on and off the field,” Dames said Saturday. “We came here to answer some questions and check some boxes. ... There’s something to play for, that’s great. But I think that’s secondary to the experience we’re going to gain as we try to figure out what we’re going to look like next year and get ready for another real season next year.”