Know Your Foe with Jen Cooper from Keeper Notes
Keeper Notes is a fantastic site that has been covering soccer in Houston since 2002. Jen Cooper is a soccer savant. Jen, aka The Keeper is an NWSL analyst, host or The Mixxed Zone women's soccer podcast and publisher of The Keeper Notes NWSL. I am frankly amazed she had time to answer my questions, so I am really appreciative.
Houston sit in a pretty decent spot in the table. What are the overall expectations for the year? Playoff qualification or more?
Following the Challenge Cup win in 2020 and a second-place finish in the Fall Series, expectations are very high for the Dash. The players and coaching staff (not to mention the fans) will be very disappointed if the team doesn't reach the playoffs in 2021 (which would be the first time in the playoffs).
What's been your take on the team's performances this year?
When they're on, they're on, as we saw in Kansas City for the 3-1 Cup win or the come-from-behind win vs. Chicago in late May. It's also notable that Dash was able to grind out a win at KC on June 6 when they weren't playing well, something the team hasn't been able to do in the past. One big challenge will be handling the international player departures/arrivals due to the Olympics, but I feel like Dash has more depth on the bench than ever before. It will be interesting to see who steps up to carry the load when Campbell, Mewis, Schdmit, Daly, Prince, Chapman are gone for the Olympics -- Shea Groom can't do it all by herself! I also think Dash have the best back four the club has ever had. Naughton & Oyster are playing very well together in the center, and Naughton even got the game-winner off a set piece at KC.
Any concern/excitement about the potential sale of the team?
No concern, definitely some excitement. A new owner, especially one with deeper pockets, could take the Dash to the next level in terms of infrastructure support, player development, marketing to fans, etc.
The Dash won their first piece of silverware last year. What is your overall assessment of the team's success in their history?
That was the FIRST trophy in club history and a huge accomplishment during an incredibly stressful time. I knew James Clarkson had put the pieces together to make the Dash more successful than they had been in the past (having never made the playoffs) but to see it come to fruition during Covid last summer was an incredible experience. The "drive through" parade when the team got back to town lasted more than 90 minutes because so many fans showed up to celebrate the players. There is so much potential in this club, I'm so glad as a native Houstonian to finally see them successful.
Who should Racing fans pay particular attention to in Sunday's match vs the Dash?
Canadian midfielder Sophie Schmidt really "holds it down" for Houston in front of the back four. Bri Visalli & Veronica Latsko are hunger to get their first goals of the season. And Jane Campbell will be keen to get a clean sheet in her last chance to show Vlatko Andonovski that she should be in the 18 for the Tokyo Olympics.
Thanks again to Jen. Follow her @keepernotes.
