Welcome to Round 13 of Fantasy NWSL! We will preview the Match of the Week selected based on which fixture features the teams with the highest combined fantasy points per game played (FP/GP).
OL Reign vs Houston Dash:
With a combined FP/GP of 197.54, the match between OL Reign and Houston Dash is the highest ranked Round 13 fixture when considering teams’ average earning performance. Note that Round 13 started on the earlier side this week, with Racing Louisville and OL Reign having played on Tuesday. The table below does not account for fantasy points earned from that fixture.
| Fixture | Combined FP/GP |
| OL Reign vs Houston Dash | 197.54 |
| Portland Thorns vs North Carolina Courage | 196.95 |
| San Diego Wave FC vs Kansas City Current | 177.63 |
| Racing Louisville FC vs OL Reign | 174.77 |
| Chicago Red Stars vs NJ/NY Gotham FC | 163.10 |
| Orlando Pride vs Angel City FC | 153.10 |
| Racing Louisville FC vs Washington Spirit | 146.27 |
Overview:
This clash promises to be a competitive battle as the third place Dash take on the fourth place Reign. Both teams currently sit on 21 points in the league standings. It will be the first meeting between the squads in 2022.
Dash enters the match with strong momentum. The squad has collected wins in its last two games by decisive margins. They dominated a strong team in the Chicago Red Stars and then followed that performance with a lopsided victory over Gotham FC. Houston’s offense was the standout in those games with the team recording four goals on both occasions. Dash have found the back of the net 24 times this season, which is second only to Portland. Impressively, the team has been able to produce goals with several key players away on international duty. Their defense isn’t bad either, ranking in the top half of the league in terms of average goals allowed per game.
OL Reign enters the match on a short week having played on Tuesday against Racing Louisville. While Reign dominated that game statistically, they would be disappointed to only come away with a tie. The issue for Reign in that match was finishing their chances, a problem that has nagged the team all year. Reign ranks first in the league in shots and shots on goal, but they only place sixth in goals scored. The team can connect passes beautifully and are often in their opponent’s attacking third, but they have frequently lacked the finishing touch needed to convert opportunities in to goals. But the team continues to play solid defense, which helps make up for the lack of goals. The squad is maintaining a standard of allowing less than one goal per game on average.
Players to Watch:
OL Reign
- Sofia Huerta (DF): Huerta was featured in the Round 12 Match of the Week preview, and she is highlighted again in this preview due to the playmaking she continues to demonstrate. She ranks first on the team in fantasy points earned and third in the league overall. Her ability to defend the flanks and then push forward to deliver dangerous crosses is crucial to Reign’s success.
- Bethany Balcer (FW): With four goals on the season, Balcer is tied for the top scorer on the team. The squad missed her in their last match (she was out due to illness) as many scoring chances went unconverted. Balcer can be particularly lethal with her head, which should provide a different mode of attack for the Reign offense.
Houston Dash
- Ebony Salmon (FW): It’s difficult to look past Salmon when it comes to difference-makers for Dash. Salmon’s impact has been significant since being traded to the team in June. In her three appearances for Houston, she has recorded four goals, including a standout hat trick performance.
- María Sánchez (MF): Sánchez has been one of Dash’s most consistent players. She has averaged a team-leading 8 FP/GP this season. She has also proven to be a versatile attacker, able to play on the wing or as a number nine. Her production has resulted in four assists, tied for a league-best total. Sánchez appears to be in strong form as evidenced by the assist she recorded in the team’s last match.
Prediction:
The fact that there is no history this season between the Reign and Dash and that the teams are positioned right next to each other in the league standings makes it difficult to determine who has the edge. Recent form tends to favor the Dash, who have recorded two commanding victories in a row. However, Reign will have home-field advantage, and they have yet to lose at home this season. With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising to see this tussle end in a draw, perhaps a 1-1 scoreline.