Ebony Salmon: Houston’s newest jewel | OneFootball

On Thursday, the NWSL officially named England’s Ebony Salmon the Player of the Month for July. In a new city with renewed chances of lighting up the NWSL, Salmon has taken to life in Houston like ducks to water.

From Bristol to Louisville

Ebony Salmon moved across the pond from Bristol City in search of greener pastures. Racing Louisville quickly snapped up the exciting young talent who had notched six goals in 20 games for Bristol. Her impact was immediate as she bagged a game-winning goal over Houston Dash on her debut. Louisville fans knew they had someone to take their expansion club to new heights.

That was in 2021. Fast forward to June 2022, and Racing Louisville traded her to the Houston Dash for $150,000 in allocation money. From 14 starts in 2021 to none in 2022, Salmon might have felt frustrated by the lack of game time considering her record in her first year with the Kentucky-based club. After a season where she scored six goals and led the team in scoring, fans were baffled when head coach Kim Björkegren continuously left her out of the starting eleven.

New life at Houston

Salmon’s start to life in Bayou City has been nothing but sensational, scoring four times across four games in July. The first two games against Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride exemplified her capabilities. But she didn’t find the back of the net as Houston would lose both.

The next match against third-placed Chicago Red Stars was the opening Salmon needed as she netted a hat trick. It was exactly why head coach Juan Carlos Amorós and the Dash made the move for Salmon. She then added to her tally next against Gotham FC in a 4–2 win.

Salmon is quickly endearing herself to Dash fans. With four goals in as many games and her brilliant brand of play on show, she is finally at a place that appreciates her talents. Her link-up play with teammates Shae Groom and Maria Sánchez has been a deadly weapon for the Dash in July. It’s something Amorós will be hoping continues for weeks to come.

Dash to the end of the season

Will she score more? Houston Dash fans would want to believe so. With the win against Gotham, the team currently sits in third place—three points behind Portland and four behind league leaders San Diego Wave. The remaining ten games will be ample time for the youngster to spur the team to a potential NWSL Shield. And Dash fans have something to set their sights on.

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