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NWSL schedule: 3 critical matchups on the week 12 slate

By Caden Charpentier

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 4: Bruninha #3 of NJ/NY Gotham FC warms up before the National Womens Soccer League match against San Diego Wave at Red Bull Arena on June 4, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 4: Bruninha #3 of NJ/NY Gotham FC warms up before the National Womens Soccer League match against San Diego Wave at Red Bull Arena on June 4, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 03: Michelle Alozie #22 of the Houston Dash celebrates her goal with Diana Ordonez #11 and Maria Sanchez #7 during the first half against the Orlando Pride at Shell Energy Stadium on June 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JUNE 03: Michelle Alozie #22 of the Houston Dash celebrates her goal with Diana Ordonez #11 and Maria Sanchez #7 during the first half against the Orlando Pride at Shell Energy Stadium on June 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

1. OL Reign at Houston Dash

Date: Saturday, June 17, 8:30 p.m. EST

How to watch: Paramount+

This is the only match that takes place past 8:00 pm EST this weekend. Meaning, chaos is on the horizon between these two. Sam Laity’s Houston Dash may be heading in Saturday night having lost in the mid-week, but their recent regular season form has been solid. Houston is just one point out of a postseason spot and is unbeaten in its last three games in the NWSL with wins over the Kansas City Current, and the Orlando Pride.

Laura Harvey’s OL Reign defeated the Dash at Lumen Field on May 6 via two second-half goals where Veronica Latsko was involved in both. Laity’s return to Seattle was not a welcomed one for him as his new side mustered just a 0.4 xG despite possessing the ball far more than the Reign. That was Houston then. Discounting a hiccup at home against the Wave, the Dash have found ways to create chances with less of the ball. In three out of their last five regular season contests, Houston’s opponent has seen more of the ball, but the Dash have been the ones slotting the ball past the goalkeeper more frequently.

Due to the continued amount of injuries for the Reign, Houston may see this as an opportunity to capitalize. It is going to take more than just Maria Sanchez’s left foot to break down a team like the Reign. He may have not shown it last time out against his former side, but Laity knows the Seattle side well, and this could be the match in which his team slide back into the playoff places.

Prediction: OL Reign 1-1 Houston Dash

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