Ebony Salmon's Dash debut spoiled by fantastic AD Franch performance

HOUSTON - The Houston Dash lost its second consecutive home match 2-1 to the Kansas City Current on Friday night at PNC Stadium. 

The cagey encounter was decided by two strikes on either side of halftime, separated by just four minutes of match time. Houston netted a consolation with virtually the last kick of the game when Elizabeth Ball turned Ryan Gareis' cross into her own net in the 99th minute. 

It was meant to be a night to celebrate Houston's club-record signing Ebony Salmon, but in the end, this victory will be remembered for the heroics of Kansas City goalkeeper Adrianna 'AD' Franch.

"Not the result we wanted but as a whole, there are things we can build on," said Salmon after the match. "To get back out there and get back playing was really good for me. As a team, we've got to be winning games, so I want to get back to that too."

On a night filled with more embers than sparks, Franch's five saves were crucial in delivering the Current its first road win of the 2022 NWSL season. If you exclude the penalty kick, the expected goals for each team were nearly level at 1.02 for the Dash and 0.95 for the Current. Possession was even at 50-50 also. 

For the Dash, the loss means it slides down to fifth in the NWSL standings, while the Current is now up to seventh. Kansas City sits three points behind the Texas team having both played 10 matches. 

Here are some takeaways from a tepid night for Houston.

Same system, new faces

With seven Houston players missing due to international call-ups, I was curious to know if acting Dash head coach Sarah Lowdon would stick with her 3-4-1-2. If there was ever a match to pivot back to 4-2-3-1, then it might have been Friday. 

Instead, Lowdon kept the Dash's shape the same and introduced a few new faces to fill in the gaps. Rookie Joelle Anderson joined Salmon in the team's two-headed front line. Replacing Sophie Schmidt in the heart of the midfield was Bri Visalli. And in the backline, Julia Ashley slotted in for her first start of the NWSL regular season. 

The tactical setup may have been the same but the mentality of the lineup was far more cautious than in the Dash's previous match against the North Carolina Courage. With Anderson and Salmon up top, there was far less high pressing. 

Lowdon's more patient approach with Houston was mirrored by Matt Potter's Kansas City team. The opening stages of the match saw both teams play the ball across their backlines and wait for more space to open up. To the credit of both teams' defensive shape, the space never developed, and neither did an inviting turnover present itself either. 

Across the 90 minutes, clear-cut chances were hard to come by. In large part, this was down to the teams' like for like 3-5-2 formations and the risk-averse soccer on display. But it was also down to both defenses being able to deal with the long passes out the back and crosses into the box.

The only time the Dash fell asleep in defense was in the opening moments of the second half. Mace was allowed far too much time to sweep from the edge of the Houston box just 35 seconds into the second half. 

An existential penalty call that was correct

The most decisive moment of the first half came just before the break. Mace attempted to cross the ball from the right-hand side of the Houston box only for a leaping Shea Groom to put her elbow into the path of the ball.

Referee Elton Garcia made the correct call and immediately pointed to the penalty spot. The verdict was met with much vitriol from the home fans. A hearty chorus of boos, perhaps the loudest crowd noise of the night, rang out in honor of Garcia's hand signal.

A lengthy plea from the Dash number 10 also greeted the referee, which did — at the very least — give us this fabulous new meme. Groom was shown a yellow card for the debacle. Tonight, it will sting, but maybe soon Groom will see the funny side. 

Ultimately it wasn't the penalty call that finished off the Dash but the immediate lack of a response that helped lead to the second Kansas City goal.

"It's definitely a penalty I think," said Lowdon at full time. "We're still in that game at that point...it changes things a little bit at halftime but the second goal kills us."

"At halftime, we were like, 'Okay we are almost there and have to finish our chances,' said Dash rookie Anderson. "Then they come out and score right away and it was a killer. You can't do much except come together and finish our chances. When that happens, we just need to come together and refocus and reset while we try our best."

Although it was categorically a handball, Groom's dismay is understandable. Anyone who has ever jumped knows what happens to your arms. Naturally, they rise alongside you and often will be near your face if there's a ball flying towards it. 

Soccer is at a stage where one has to jump with their hands behind their backs — otherwise, this is the result. Philosophically, there is lots to debate. But by the rule book, there's little to complain about. 

Salmon clicks, Franch blocks 

On another day, this could have been a fairytale beginning to Salmon's time in Houston. Despite not getting the win or appearing on the scoresheet, the English forward was still tremendous.

"It's difficult to come into a new environment and Ebony did a great job tonight," said Lowdon. "I think her and Joelle up top, I think they’ve got something going there with Joelle checking and being able to get the ball and Ebony being able to run behind."

Easily the Dash's most threatening player, Salmon finished the match with three shots and two on goal — the most shots of any Dash player on the pitch.

Flitting between Elizabeth Ball, Taylor Leach, and Kristen Edmonds in the Kansas City backline, Salmon made sure she was always right up on her marker. All it would take is one ball, on the floor or in the air, and she would be away running behind them and in with a chance on goal. 

The problem was that once Salmon broke free, Franch was there to meet her. The former U.S. National Team goalkeeper had a memorable night between the posts for the Current. 

"For me, it is always good that I am getting the most goal scoring opportunities. But I have to make sure that I am taking chances and clinically in front of the goal," said Salmon.

On two occasions, Salmon found Franch's quick reactions and strong hands to deny her a good opportunity. At other times, Franch was able to recover the loose ball as Salmon slighty overhit her touch. making a good case for the player of the match.

"She [Franch] had a great game tonight and it is frustrating especially when myself and my teammates are in a good goal scoring position but are not finding the back of the net," said Salmon.

Salmon's rustiness was on display when she sliced one high and wide over Franch's net inside the box during the first half. The Englishwoman played more minutes last night (99) than she had done through the first nine matches of the NWSL season (75) with Racing Louisville.

"I think [the] biggest lesson for me is take my chances. If I got my two chances in the first half it is a different game," concluded Salmon after the match.