Fresh start toward a reversal of fortunes
With new leadership, rebuilt roster, club hopes to turn corner
After an eighth-place finish in the National Women’s Soccer League last season, the Dash are embracing a new look and feel.
“It’s definitely a lot of new faces, young faces, maybe some names people don’t really know about, which can be a blessing in disguise for us,” goalkeeper Jane Campbell said. “A lot of people probably have doubts about this group, and that’s fine for us because we know what we can produce in practice.”
New coach Vera Pauw is the face of a restructured Dash team and one of many new faces on hand Sunday when they open the 2018 season at BBVA Compass Stadium against the Chicago Red Stars. Those additions and Pauw’s approach have players and coaches confident the team can turn it around.
“It’s completely different, that’s the best way I can describe it,” forward Rachel Daly said. “It’s definitely a more professional vibe. It’s a lot more than just showing up to training and leaving every day.”
Noted Pauw: “I think the players like it so far and from what I look at and hear they are enjoying it because my way of working is that of structure. By putting structure in, it’s easier to find your freedom.”
Setting their focus
For some players, there’s also a sense of freedom in the low expectations that follow a sevenwin season. But neither detractors nor the recent drama surrounding Christen Press’ refusal to play for the team has disrupted the team’s goals.
“We’re just focused on going out and getting those three points and getting out to a good start on the season,” Daly said before addressing Press. “It is what it is. We can’t let it affect us, we just have to continue every day with who we have here.”
Campbell is confident the Dash will turn heads and change minds as players and coaches become familiar with each other and their system.
“I think in past years we haven’t really had an identity,” she said. “I think we’ll definitely be the underdog the whole year.”
“I think those of us that have been here are tired of not being successful on the pitch,” defender Amber Brooks said. “The mood about our team from the outside is pretty negative so we’re on a mission to just prove everybody wrong.”
But Brooks knows growth might be gradual.
“I think it’s a daily thing,” she said. “We want to find success immediately, but we also know we’re a work in progress. The aim is playoffs and once you make playoffs it’s any team’s chance, really.
“We know we’re not going to be at peak on Sunday, but the goal is to continue to get better … and still pick up enough points that we’re in the hunt in the end.”
Understand the process
Pauw echoes that sentiment. “I think it’s a group that can really go to heights because there’s so much talent in it,” she said. “Where it ends up in the end; for me, it’s about the process.
“Of course we’re on the pitch to win, but you can only win if the whole process is going in one direction.
“That’s my biggest concern, that every day the process is going better.”