The road to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games continues in Houston as various players prepare for the upcoming NWSL season and their national team commitments.
For Andressa and Poliana, this is more than just their first Olympic Tournament. This is an opportunity to win Olympic gold on home soil for a national team that has finished with the silver medal twice in two of the past three Olympic Games.
“Excitement is one way of describing it,” Andressa said. “It is tough to describe it because I have never experienced anything like this.”
Both players recently participated in the Algarve Cup, losing 2-1 to Canada in the final. Despite the outcome, both players say that the tournament was very beneficial in preparation for the Olympic tournament that will take place in six host cities over 16 days.
“This is a unique event,” Poliana said. “We will have an opportunity to bring a lot joy to people throughout the country and we want to do that.”
Poliana and Andressa brought joy to Brazil last year after winning the 2015 Pan American Games in Canada.
“That was a special event for me because of the competition we faced,” Andressa said. “It only gets harder in August and we are going to be ready for the challenge.”
The next challenge for the two Brazilian players is a round-robin preseason tournament in Portland, Oregon that includes Oregon State University, Seattle Reign FC and Portland Thorns FC.
Following the preseason tournament in Oregon and a final tune up match against Texas A&M, the Dash open the 2016 NWSL season on April 16 against the Chicago Red Stars at BBVA Compass Stadium. Season tickets start at just $137 for all 10 home games. To purchase season tickets, a ticket package or for more information, call (713) 276-GOAL or visit HoustonDashSoccer.com/tickets.
