Morgan Brian won't play in Dash season opener

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The Dash will not be at full strength when they kick off the 2017 season Saturday afternoon.

U.S. national team midfielder Morgan Brian will not play when the Dash face the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Compass Stadium. The 2015 World Cup champion is still recovering from an injury to her right MCL that she suffered while playing for the national team on March 7.

Brian worked out on the side once she returned to Dash preseason camp and even trained fully for one day three weeks ago. She tweaked the injury that day and has not been in full training since.

Denise O'Sullivan will take Brian's place on the right corner of the inverted midfield triangle.

The Dash also may not play without center back Bruna Benites, who spent the last week and a half with the Brazilian national team. Benites returned to Houston on Thursday and ran on the side during training.

She likely would be replaced by Cami Privett.