Now here's a showdown that promises to keep you on the edge of your seat, folks. We've got the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars squaring up and they're ready to tussle like cats fighting over a saucer of cream. It's all about the drama, ladies and gentlemen!
Looking at the goalkeepers, guard dogs of the net, we've got Alyssa Naeher for Chicago Red Stars showing off her skills with an impressive 6.93 rating and 8 saves under her belt. Well folks, she's not the only one hogging the spotlight. For Houston Dash, we have Jane Campbell stepping up with a 6.80 rating and an impressive 12 saves. Talk about catching lightning in a bottle!
Now let's place the spotlight on some of the top players. The Dash's shining star is Tarciane with a high flying 7.70 rating, followed not so closely by Andressa Alves at a 7.17 rating, while Yūki Nagasato is holding steady at a 6.90 after potting in a goal recently.
On Chicago's side meanwhile, Ludmila is stepping up big time with a 7.13 rating and two goals to her name. Natalia Kuikka is chipping in with a 7.10 rating, while Cari Roccaro rounds out the top three there with a solid 7.03 rating. You can almost feel the tension, can't you?
The history between these teams seems like a dance with Chicago generally leading. They bested Houston in 3 of their last 4 clashes, but it's worth remembering that Chicago also has an edge in their regular season records. The Red Stars recorded 9 wins compared to the Dash's 4. Recent form, though, paints a different story with the Houston Dash coming off a win while the Red Stars lost their latest game.
But past is past and soccer, being the fickle mistress she is, cares little for history and much for the now. With everything weighed and considered, the scales of success seem to, albeit slightly, tip in favor of the Chicagoland ladies.
Albert’s Prediction: Chicago Red Stars by 1