Gotham FC vs Houston Dash preview: Dashing down the homestretch

After a successful trip to Costa Rica, NJ/NY Gotham FC will welcome the Houston Dash to Red Bull Arena. After their 2-0 loss to the Orlando Pride, the Bats will look to return to winning ways in league play against Houston. The Dash are a good opponent to get back on track against as they currently sit at the bottom of the table thanks in part to being winless in their last seven league games.

This will be the second and final meeting of the season between the two sides. The first occurred in Houston and ended in a 1-0 win for the Bats. Despite the close and low-scoring final score, this was a dominating performance from Gotham that could have seen them score three or even four goals. This was one of the first few matches that saw the NJ/NY side kickstart their season after a poor first few games. This game on Sunday could do the same for the team as they enter the final few matches of the season.

If one were to describe this as the year from hell for Houston, then Dash fans would argue that is not a strong enough description. The team fired general manager Alex Singer at the end of July and has been without a hired GM since. Meanwhile, head coach Fran Alonso has been away from the team since the end of June with an "illness". Combine this with a poor season on the field which has included a 5-1 loss to the North Carolina Courage and a 4-1 loss to Portland Thorns FC, Dash fans would probably be more than happy with an immediate ending to the season.

Despite the poor season for Houston to this point, this cannot be a game Gotham takes lightly. Three points are absolutely crucial at this point in the year, especially with games against Orlando and the Kansas City Current later this season. Then, there is a visit to the surging Seattle Reign FC next week. Here is a preview of this fixture against the Houston Dash.

Date

Gotham FC and the Houston Dash will face off on Sunday, September 8.

Time

The match is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM ET.

Location

The game will be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

How to watch

The match will be broadcast on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

Weather

Gotham FC does not have to worry about rain, for this game will be a sunny one. The forecasted high at kickoff is 68 degrees with just 40% humidity. The wind will be a factor with winds at about 12 mph and gusts as high as 21 mph.

Injury Report

Midge Purce (knee) and Abby Smith (lower leg) continue to be out as they are on the season-ending injury list.

In addition, the Bats will be without Svava Guðmundsdóttir (excused absence), Sam Hiatt (foot), Rose Lavelle (thigh) Maitane López, and Ella Stevens (lower leg). Bruninha (illness) is questionable.

Players to watch

In their meeting in May, Stevens came incredibly close on multiple occasions to scoring her then first goal in a Gotham uniform. If she was not injured, then she would be the player to watch. Instead, fans should watch Esther González. She scored an incredible goal in the team's CONCACAF W Champions Cup game and appears to be close to her top form again.

For Houston, Paige Nielsen has been one of the very few bright spots this season. After an unwanted early-season trade from Angel City FC, Nielsen has stepped into the backline and done well despite Houston's struggles as a team. She was recently rewarded for this with a new four-year contract extension. If the Dash can hold Gotham's offense in check, then Nielsen will be a big reason why.

Prediction

Expect Gotham to carry on their impressive offensive performance from Costa Rica and win this game 3-0 with goals from Crystal Dunn, González, and Katie Stengel. Carrying on this offensive momentum from their game against LD Alajuelense will be a welcoming development. Despite their impressive season, Gotham FC has not hit the goal-scoring heights other top-end teams have this year.