Racing v Dash Pre Match Thoughts
Courtesy Amber Lynch
Racing is back in action after an international break and play 6 matches in 31 days before taking an extended break this summer for our quadrennial collective ignoring of human rights abuses in order to celebrate sporting achievement. As for Houston (a hellscape of a different type in the summer), the city gives us the Dash who are marginally in the playoff picture with a recent uptick in form. This is the type of match that Racing has faced at this point of the season in the past where there is momentum to be sustained, but the team has never quite taken full advantage of the opportunity to put a really dominating stretch together. This season could be different, but it would likely take some much-needed returns of some key players. For pretty much all of the absentees, I am in the “believe it when I see it” camp when it comes to their availability and effectiveness.
The good news for Racing is that their most important player is in form at the moment, and that always increases your chances of winning. I always look at the first 15 minutes of a match after the international break as a chance to catch your opponent napping. Training is no match for game time and sometimes teams come out a little flat. Racing has been bitten by that bug in the past, but I think Coach Yanez has done a good job of getting the team ready to play from the first minute this season.
Despite the absences, I think Racing has somewhat settled into their temporary best XI. Flint has made the deepest midfield role hers and if/when Howell is fit, she might find herself playing further forward. There is absolutely no reason to swap Sears back out regardless of who else is available, so I think Bahr could really do herself some good by scoring a goal or two before Borges and KW are fit.
As the temperature increases, I have to think that it would be prudent to use Ellie Jean a bit more. She is capable at multiple positions, and I don’t want to see another season where the left back and right back are playing 90 minute matches all summer. Pokorny is nominally an option there too if Racing find themselves trailing. The fact is that Racing is shorthanded in defense, so a short-term signing isn’t out of the realm of possibility either.
