The Houston Dash won the NWSL Challenge Cup Final on Sunday, the team’s first-ever trophy since they came into the league in 2014. Led by second-year head coach James Clarkson the Dash beat the Chicago Red Stars 2-0 in Sandy, Utah to secure the title.
Clarkson pushed a narrative with his players that they were going to Utah for the unique tournament to win it, despite being one of the longest odds teams heading into the tournament. Oddsmakers placed the Dash at 200-1 odds before the eight-team tournament kicked off.
“I just hope all of those people that I told before the tournament that we were 200-to-one favorites, and stick $100 on us, took me up on my advice,” Clarkson said after Sunday’s match.