Some of the most competitive soccer players don’t just want to lose on matchday. Every training session activity is an opportunity to collect a win and give it their all.
When observing the Houston Dash’s practice at Pepperdine University in California this week, it was hard not to notice Haley Hanson’s visible frustration over losing a warm-up exercise. Soon, I learned that’s just a part of who the defender is.
“I am feisty,” Hanson told The Striker Texas on Friday. “That’s what keeps things fun, competitive and interesting. I am half kidding, but I do enjoy being that person.”
Off the pitch, Hanson admits that her “personality isn't super naturally argumentative.” But sometimes she has to make herself heard, in order to play her brand of soccer. Especially after dubious NWSL refereeing decisions.
On Tuesday night, Hanson was shown a yellow card despite being on the receiving end of a physical challenge by Cari Rocarro. The Dash defender says that, generally speaking, NWSL referees have to get better in order to let there be a healthy feistiness in the league.
Got some nice cleat marks in my shin saying that it probably should have been a card on LA 👀
— Haley Hanson (@hay_hanson) June 8, 2022
“I'm not saying it's an easy job by any means. But for a little bit of feistiness to exist without crossing that line, early in a game, you have to set the tone for what’s acceptable. As players, we will adapt accordingly based on what the ref is calling,” said Hanson.
The kind of energy that Hanson sees in herself has typified the Dash during the 2022 season. The NWSL has seen nothing but gutsy performances, stubborn defending and a relentless attitude from Houston so far.
Hanson attributes much of this to acting head coach Sarah Lowdon, who took charge of the team ahead of the regular-season opener against the San Diego Wave.
“She [Lowdon] is really focusing on having that gritty attitude about us, and that comes first before tactics before anything else. We have to have that hard-working mentality to continue to get clean sheets, and then also to just reach your full potential,” said Hanson.
Since losing on the opening day of the regular season to the Wave, the Dash have gone undefeated. On Tuesday night in Los Angeles, Houston tied a club record of six matches without defeat by drawing 0-0 with ACFC.
Hanson believes that another facet of the Dash’s success this season is Lowdon's desire to be “feedback oriented” and listen to her players. Houston has embraced change, rather than feared it. That includes a willingness to adjust tactically.
“I've definitely leaned on our players, I ask their opinions a lot,” Lowdon said to the media on Friday afternoon. “It doesn't always mean that's the opinion I go with by any stretch. I do like to get some insight. I am very collaborative.”
After starting the season in a more tried and tested 4-2-3-1 formation, the acting head coach flipped the script on the road in Portland and played a 3-4-1-2 for the first time. For many of the players — including Hanson — this was their first time playing that system.
The surprise change in formation yielded immediate results. The Dash won 2-0 at Providence Park and Lowdon decided she would stick with it. Something the acting head coach says was not initially the plan.
“We didn't really envision playing the 3-5-2 long term, it was kind of just a two-game thing. And here we are, we have two different formations that we can roll out,” Lowdon added.
What’s it like as a player to suddenly have to adapt? Well, for Hanson, the Dash’s flexibility has been an unexpected delight.
“I think it's been a pleasant surprise. I think that we have shown that we're versatile and that no matter who's out on the pitch we can put out a good performance and compete with the best of them,” said Hanson.
Acting head coach @SarahLowdon is still chasing the "yet" 📈#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/lucbirZJot
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) June 10, 2022
Aside from Rachel Daly and Allysha Chapman, the fullback is the longest-serving player on the Dash roster. Since being drafted by the Dash in 2018, she has featured in 72 of a possible 79 NWSL regular-season matches.
Hanson’s ultra-competitive and all-action brand of soccer is what has made her a consistent starter since she arrived in Houston. During those first couple of years, her role was mostly as a defensive midfielder but sometimes as a right back.
Then, after contributing significantly to the Dash’s 2020 Challenge Cup-winning team, the transition to right back became permanent. Now she’s adapting her game to play as a wing back.
After three clean sheets in four matches since the position switch, Hanson feels understandably confident. “I do think I have the qualities to be an effective wing back. It's been fun for me to be able to be in a position where I can run free in a way. I just literally have a full run of the pitch and it's super fun,” said Hanson.
“I know, Rachel [Daly] joked in an interview a while back, that I'm the only one who likes to do that. But it's true. I've really enjoyed the new position. I know that we might have to switch back to a four back at times. Like I said, we can be flexible.”
Next up, the Dash will welcome the Portland Thorns to PNC Stadium on Sunday evening, in a match that will see the Dash's recent tactical transformation come full circle. Unlike in their last meeting with Portland, this time Houston may not be able to produce a secret lineup.
In Lowdon's opinion, ultimately that element of surprise won't be a defining factor. "At the end of the day, it comes down to the players on the field and executing," she said. "So that's what we're looking for."
