Happy for the Dash, a franchise that has experienced nothing but mediocrity at best since it came into the league. How demoralized must Watt feel-- toiling away in Houston for years with no reward, then she leaves and they win a tournament. Very fitting for Daly to assist Groom's stoppage time goal, ensuring her the Golden Boot as well as cup MVP.
Saw some questions on Twitter asking if Groom was offside. Nope, clearly on, she just massively turned on the burners as the ball was kicked! You can already see her running forward at full speed versus the horizontally-moving defender a split second after the kick:
I lost my feed from Hulu with 2 minutes of stoppage left but I doubt I missed anything important. Houston already had closed out the game away and there was just a little time killing left to do.
Funny how Naeher had her hands up, complaining about the no-call offside. As if she could even know, from her angle back in goal.
Well, I had a 2-1 for Houston in the predictions thread, not a 2-0, but I went close enough, I'd say. Does anyone know who was named the MVP for this game? It would give extra-points. All in all, it wasn't the most spectacular tournament ever, but, given the circumstances, it was quite entertaining anyway (and this final was for sure). Houston Dash showedcased some of the most solid performances in it and I'd say they're deservingly the Champions. It's a shame they played 6 different teams out of the other 7 of the tournament but they never happen to clash vs North Carolina Courage: I bet it would have been a very interesting match!
Daly says in the post-game on-field interview that it was "grit, determination, and courage" that got them here. I have to agree for the team as a whole, but those are also definitely words to describe Daly in particular.
To be fair, they did shut out both Portland and Chicago, so it's not like they didn't have to put aside heavyweights en route to the title!
Shea Groom given the gameday MVP award. I kinda think Daly had more influence on the game overall, but since Daly got tournament MVP and Golden Boot, I guess this sharing is fair =-)
Lisa Baird is deliberate with her words so when she says the Dash are winners of the *first* #NWSL Challenge Cup ...... well, we can only hope— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) July 26, 2020
Was going to write about the same thing! Come on, the trophy for this Challenge Cup looks like a glass you could use for ice-cream at a bar: ok, these are emergency times, but maybe they could have found something better
Interesting comments on Twitter, which I kinda agree with: Houston may not have been the *best* team this tournament, especially going three matches scoreless, but they were one of, if not the, most consistent - and that's what carried them through to the title.
Groom's solid tournament, combined with Vlatko coaching, surely means she gets a WNT call-up next time they convene. He always believed and managed to get the best out of her, when others doubted. She's 27 now, 30 by the next World Cup. Not out of the realm of possibility. At least should be considered. Wouldn't rule Kristie Mewis out either, even though she will be 32 by 2023. Have really enjoyed watching her renaissance as a center mid.
FT 2-0. Houston had the energy today. Houston 12(4)-(4)15 shots(sog), 4-6 corners, 15-16 crosses vs. 29-10 clearances, 1-6 offsides (Hill ), 4-10 fouls, 50% possession. Shea Groom wins finals MVP. Daly already won tournament MVP. Now Houston must check 1 more piece of baggage, and buy a display case CHALLENGE CUP CHAMPIONS 🏆#HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/DVbNGdDMdy— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) July 26, 2020
I actually like the Challenge Cup trophy. X-D Though it does seem fairly fragile. Way more importantly: upgrade the official NWSL playoff champions trophy!
I wasn't implying at all that they "had it easy" just because they didn't meet NCC: was just noticing that it's the only team they didn't play. On the other hand, they played all of the other teams, so nothing to say about their win: they sure had to work to earn it!
Yes, it can be seen as fair... but it strips me of the bonus points from the MVP prediction in the predictions thread! I had Daly as my MVP!
Didn't catch the match today, but I've never been that high on Hill, at least as a starter. I think her numbers in the W-League lead to some thinking she's better than her actual level.
I'd still say North Carolina was the most consistent team. I suppose Houston was next, but other than the Courage, no other team was really close to what I'd call consistent. The difference is Houston lost at the right time and North Carolina didn't. (I will say though that Houston benefitted big time from having the two most dangerous offensive threats throughout the tournament not on North Carolina.)
Kealia Watt versus Katie Naughton: two sides of the same story A year ago Katie Naughton was out of favor in Chicago and only started the #NWSL Championship after Tierna Davidson got hurt during the week. Today she started for Dash in Challenge Cup final win against her former team who got 3rd straight shutout. Must be quite satisfying.— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) July 26, 2020 Also, per that Tweet, I think it would've been nice to see one of the Dash defenders get the gameday MVP. Three knockout round shutouts is nothing to sniff at.
Well, as I said, one of the most consistent, even if they weren't the best overall. I would agree NCC certainly was the best overall.