Sophie Schmidt expecting clash of styles as Houston Dash takes on FC Barcelona

It’s not every week that you get to play the UEFA Champions League winners. But at least for one Saturday in August, that’s the case for Sophie Schmidt and the Houston Dash.

“What better test is there?” said Schmidt, speaking to the press at an open practice at Providence Park in Portland on Friday. “It’s a good test to see where we’re at. You never know, it might end up giving us more credit. I think it’ll be a good game.”

The battle for third place at the Women’s International Champions Cup (WICC) comes after the Dash lost to the Portland Thorns via a penalty shootout and FC Barcelona were beaten 3-2 by Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday night. The historic affair will be the first time Houston has ever faced off against a team from Europe. The only other non-U.S. side the club has officially faced is Tigres of Liga MX Femenil back in 2019.

READ MORE: WHAT IS THE WICC, HOW TO WATCH

In the build-up to the match, much has been made of the clash of styles that these two teams are likely to offer up. The Dash are known for their high intensity pressing and quick-break transitions, while Barca tend to be more meticulous and build attacks methodically from the back.

“I think I'm going to be busy,” said Schmidt, a defensive midfielder often tasked with shielding Houston’s backline. “Their movement is phenomenal. Watching them a couple nights ago against Lyon, you can see that the tempo they play at is very different to the NWSL.”

The WICC has branded itself as a tournament where intercontinental title holders face off, champion against champion. Perhaps bigger than trophies being at stake, soccer philosophies will be on the line come Saturday evening. Houston will be as much representing Texas and the USA as they will be advocating for the soccer tactics of the NWSL.

Typically Spanish/European soccer sides look to wear their opposition down slowly. Death by 1,000 tiny passes. For a team like the Dash, the task would typically be about maintaining the necessary energy levels and fitness to sustain the defense. 

For Schmidt, the task of containing the world’s best passing side is as much a mental battle as a physical one.

“I think that it could be frustrating for us. We’re going to have to defend for long periods of time. If we don’t have the ball and they’re in front of us, then they’re not scoring. And that’s okay.

“Players in North America often just want to get on the ball, attack and score goals. It’s sometimes about being okay with the fact that you don't have to have the ball all the time.”

It turns out, the feelings are mutual. Speaking to Barcelona defender Marta Torrejón on Friday, it was obvious that there is an equal sense of anticipation from the Spaniards about how Houston plays their soccer. 

“I expect a very physical match,” said Torrejón. “It’s good that we find ourselves in different scenarios. We’ll see where we fail, and where we can attack. It is a different type of playing to what we’re used to in Spain. We’re very eager to have this match with the Americans.”

Despite impressive moments, the Dash struggled to find positives from their semifinal defeat to the Thorns. Even if their bout with Barcelona ends in defeat, the consensus is that the outcome will be easier to swallow.

Schmidt herself only returned to Houston 10 days ago after winning Olympic gold in Tokyo. Fellow Canadian gold medalist Nichelle Prince, as well as USA players Kristie Mewis and Jane Campbell, only rejoined the squad in Portland on Friday. Managing certain players' minutes and reintegrating the squad will be an extra concern for head coach James Clarkson.

The final match of the Dash’s WICC break is a landmark moment for the club, even if — to outsiders — it feels like the match is meaningless. For nearly a century, soccer and Barcelona have been synonymous. One day, Houston would like to imagine itself the same way.

The Houston Dash play FC Barcelona at 6:36PM CT, watch the game on ESPNU/ESPN deportes.