On Saturday afternoon, the North Carolina Courage travel down to Houston to take on the eighth-place, 0–2–2 Houston Dash.

The Courage had their way with the Dash last season to the tune of 5–0 in two games, with the last match a dominant 4–0 win in Houston to clinch the 2017 NWSL Shield.

The 2017 trends look to be continuing in 2018, as the Dash have only scored one goal in their first four contests. The Courage have scored in every game so far this season and stand atop the NWSL table.

What to watch for

High possession game: With the way that the Courage have been playing this season, they should own the midfield Saturday afternoon. Debinha returns from her time in Brazil, and Sam Mewis is nearing full strength after coming back from her injury. Coach Paul Riley has too many quality midfielders on his hands, and he’ll likely bench at least one player who could be starting for Houston.

With the way that the Courage have been playing this season, they should own the midfield Saturday afternoon. Debinha returns from her time in Brazil, and Sam Mewis is nearing full strength after coming back from her injury. Coach Paul Riley has too many quality midfielders on his hands, and he’ll likely bench at least one player who could be starting for Houston. Trap game? Some on social media are calling this a trap game for the Courage. North Carolina could coast into this expecting an easy win, but I doubt the Junkyard Dogs will do anything but take their opponent seriously after dropping their first points of the season last weekend.

Dash key players

Kealia Ohai: After a torn ACL sidelined her last June, Ohai made her return to the pitch last week as a 58th minute substitute. “ The Heart of the Dash ,” Ohai had two goals and two assists in 2017 before the devastating injury. The quality of play for the Dash going forward will likely rest on her ability to return to form.

After a torn ACL sidelined her last June, Ohai made her return to the pitch last week as a 58th minute substitute. “ ,” Ohai had two goals and two assists in 2017 before the devastating injury. The quality of play for the Dash going forward will likely rest on her ability to return to form. Kimberly Keever: The rookie forward is currently the only player for the Dash that has scored in 2018. She has also started all four games and will be the likely focal point of Houston’s attack.

Form

NC Courage: W | W | W | W | D

Houston Dash: D | D | L | L

Head-to-Head

The Courage won both matchups in 2017, 1–0 and 4–0.

Prediction

With the Courage on a roll this season and with the Dash at the other end of the table with just one goal, I think the Courage dominate this game. Debinha coming back should cancel out any benefit the Dash find in Ohai coming back, and the teams as a whole are just completely different in quality. I predict another shut out for the Courage, and they could score several goals. I’ll be nice to the home team and not predict a 7–0 win for the visitors: 2–0 Courage win.

Game info

NC Courage vs. Houston Dash, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas.

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