Breaking: Playing Ebony Salmon actually works

People, let me tell you that individual player awards are flawed. Soccer is a wonderful and confusing team game. Trying to calculate who was the standalone singular person, in a cacophony of many player involvements, is a philosophically challenging task. 

However, sometimes a soccer player can have a moment or a streak that really does feel different. Let me tell you that Ebony Salmon's sensational month of July, which led her to capture the NWSL's most recent award for player of the month, was one of those.

Even though when Salmon arrived in Houston as a prodigious talent and a proven goalscorer in the top English and U.S. leagues, there was still a chip on her shoulder. Prior to the Dash trading a club-record fee for the English forward in June, Salmon had played a measly 76 minutes through the first 10 weeks of the 2022 NWSL season for Racing Louisville. 

"I'm taking my anger from not playing in Louisville and I'm going to show what I can do here when I get on the pitch," Salmon told The Striker on the day she signed for the Dash. 

READ MORE: Exclusive - Salmon on her 'unfinished business in the NWSL

It's not uncommon in soccer for head coaches to have a subjective appreciation of players. Different tactics and different methods can suit different players. But for Salmon — who was Racing's top scorer and joint assist leader in 2022 — to be so far down the pecking order felt like an oversight. 

After sealing the move to Houston, Salmon was able to turn that frustration into performances on the pitch. In July, no NWSL player scored more goals (4), had a better goal minus expected goals score (+2.14), or had more shots on target (8) than Salmon. 

The league's most dangerous attacking threat across four matches in July was just waiting for an opportunity to shine. Across 342 minutes — almost five times the amount of regard season minutes she received in Louisville in 2022 – Salmon was devastating to opposing teams in front of goal. 

A magic month

Salmon made her first start for the Dash less than a week after signing, played the full 90 minutes, and was a constant threat. If it weren't for several stunning saves from Kansas City Current goalkeeper AD Franch, Salmon would've had a debut goal at PNC Stadium. 

READ MORE: Salmon debut spoiled by fantastic Franch  

Although Salmon could not score in her second outing for the Dash, away to the Orlando Pride, she was again Houston's biggest threat on a disappointing offensive night for Sarah Lowdon's team. She led the team in shots, with two, and also for pressures in the opposition's third of the pitch. Salmon's ability to press high and rush the opposition was also on display — a talent that would be utilized more soon. 

It all clicked in Salmon's third outing, at home to the Chicago Red Stars. New interim head coach Juan Carlos Amorós took charge of the Dash for the first time and altered the team's shape and identity slightly. These changes helped Salmon become a more pivotal part of the Dash attack both on the ball and off the ball. 

Salmon scorched the Red Stars and became the youngest player ever to score a hat trick in the NWSL. After her third goal, she placed her finger to her lips as if to silence her critics after a frustrating start to the 2022 season. In the 83rd minute, Salmon was removed to a rapturous standing ovation. 

"It's big for me to get that," said Salmon after her hat-trick against Chicago. "My confidence was quite low after not playing earlier this season. I missed one that I should've scored, but we didn't take our foot off the gas."

READ MORE: Analysis - How Amoros' tactics helped unlock Salmon  

Finally, Salmon helped the Dash to a 4-2 win over a struggling Gotham FC, the club's first at Red Bull Arena. The startlingly potent attack kicked off the Amorós era in style, and made the interim head coach the first Houston coach ever to win first home and away matches. 

Salmon again led her team in shots, with three, and got on the scoresheet with an ice-cold 73rd-minute penalty that she placed cutely in the bottom left-hand corner of the Gotham goal. But also Salmon's impact could be seen in how space is created for teammates when opposing teams try to send extra pressure on her. 

READ MORE: Takeaways from the Dash's f-awesome attacking win over Gotham  

This was particularly apparent when Maria Sanchez sent the cross in for Shea Groom's headed goal to give Houston a 2-1 lead against NJ/NY. Two Gotham defenders follow Salmon's run in the box, which helped clear the path for Groom to dunk the ball past Didi Haricic. 

All this is to say that Salmon spent the month of July rediscovering her joy for soccer and proving why putting her on the pitch might just be a grand idea. Houston's $190,000 gamble is already paying off. Look out August. 

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