The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup is almost here! On Friday June 7, look for some familiar Houston Dash players playing for their respective countries in France. While there won’t be Dash players representing the United States, the Dash are proud to boast a whopping seven international players.
Here’s a quick guide to the players, and what to look for during the tournament.
Canada
Veterans Allysha Chapman and Sophie Schimt will represent our neighbors up north, joined by newcomers Nichelle Prince and Lindsay Agnew. Canada has never won a World Cup, so the pressure to win is high. Schmidt said, “You’re living your dream but you’re also, like, ‘but I want to win my dream.’ There’s just this huge expectation and excitement.” After finishing with a Bronze medal in the 2016 Olympics, their chances of placing in the top three teams are high.
England
Rachel Daly makes her first World Cup debut for England this year. Daly has been with the Dash since 2016 as a forward, and previously represented England in U-17 and U-23. This will be her first time as a Lioness in the World Cup, and we can’t wait to see her in action.
Australia
Representing Australia since 2006, defender Clare Polkinghorne has played over 100 matches and scored nine goals for the national team. So it’s safe to say the Matildas (the Australia team’s official nickname) are in good hands.
Jamaica
Kayla McCoy will not only be making her debut with the Jamaican national team, she’ll also be making history. This will be Jamaica’s first appearance in the Women’s World Cup. Regarding the historic moment, McCoy says, “Not only is it the first for the Jamaican women but it’s a first for a Caribbean country to send a team. It’s just huge for that part of the world and that country. It means a lot for women’s soccer where it’s maybe not been valued as much before.” McCoy recently suffered a knee injury, but we hope for her speedy recovery.
The World Cup starts this June 7, so tune in and show some support. Dash players are known to make some pretty magical things happen—like former Dash player Carli Lloyd’s epic hat trick in the last World Cup.
For a complete list on when and where to watch, click here. And if you’re looking for a good place to watch with friends, head to Houston’s soccer watching headquarters at Pitch 25 Beer Park in EaDo.