Houston Dash Acquire Allocation Money, Intra-League Transfer Funds from Portland Thorns FC for Midfielder Sophie Hirst

Photo courtesy of Harvard Athletics

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 2, 2024) The Houston Dash acquired up to $35,000 from Portland Thorns FC for midfielder Sophie Hirst, both teams announced today. Houston will receive $25,000 in allocation money from Portland plus an additional $10,000 in intra-league transfer funds if certain performance metrics are achieved. 

  

Hirst was drafted by the Dash with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft from Harvard University. The midfielder appeared in 23 games for the team across all competitions. She made her professional debut on April 19 at Shell Energy Stadium against the Kansas City Current in the NWSL Challenge Cup. She scored her first goal for the team on June 3, 2023, in a 2-0 victory over the Orlando Pride at Shell Energy Stadium. 

  

The midfielder finished with 60 career appearances and 56 starts in four seasons at the collegiate level for Harvard. Hirst also tallied 10 goals and recorded 12 assists throughout her collegiate career and earned Academic All-Ivy honors in her final two seasons.

Houston Dash trade Maria Sanchez to San Diego Wave FC

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 20, 2024) The Houston Dash made a big move in the world of soccer, trading forward María Sanchez (shown left) to San Diego Wave FC. But it wasn't just a simple player swap. The Dash got some serious cash and international roster spots in return.

In the trade, the Dash received a whopping $500,000 in funds, split into $300,000 for Intra-League Transfer and $200,000 in Allocation Money. Plus, they snagged an international roster spot for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

Sanchez had been with the Dash for a while. She first came on board back in 2021 on a short-term loan, then officially signed up for the team in 2022. After proving her skills on the field, she locked in a long-term deal in December 2023. During her time with the Dash, she played in 62 games and scored eight goals, showing off her knack for setting up her teammates with 14 assists.

Before landing with the Dash, Sanchez kicked off her pro career with the Chicago Red Stars after they picked her in the 2019 NWSL College Draft. She then took her talents to Mexico, playing for Chivas de Guadalajara and UANL Tigres Femenil.

This trade marks a new chapter for both Sanchez and the Dash. While Sánchez heads to San Diego to join Wave FC, the Dash are gearing up with a hefty amount of funds and roster flexibility. 

Houston Dash kick off home schedule with scoreless draw against Racing Louisville FC

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 23, 2924) The Houston Dash kicked off their home season with a bang, drawing a record-breaking crowd of 8,600 fans at Shell Energy Stadium. In a thrilling match against Racing Louisville FC, the teams battled it out to a 0-0 draw.

Goalkeeper Jane Campbell was the star of the night, making a whopping 10 saves, including eight in the first half alone. Campbell's stellar performance not only secured Houston's first shutout of the season but also etched her name in the history books as the first goalkeeper to make 150 starts for a single team across all competitions.

The Dash defense was solid throughout the game, with defender Sarah Puntigam pulling off a crucial goal-line save in stoppage time to preserve the point. Houston defender Sarah Puntigam's quick reflexes and determination ensured that the ball stayed out of the net, earning cheers from the home crowd.

The match also saw several debuts for the Dash, with forward Yuki Nagasato, rookie Amanda West, and Swedish international Elin Rubensson all making their first appearances in orange. Despite the new faces, Houston's attack was relentless, recording a season-high 12 shots on goal.

While Louisville thought they had scored early in the game, a disallowed goal due to offside spared the Dash from conceding. Houston had their own chances, with forward Diana Ordonez leading the charge with three shots on target.

Houston Dash to begin season against North Carolina Courage

By Chris Price
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 16, 2024) The Houston Dash are set to kick off their 10th NWSL season with an exciting showdown against the North Carolina Courage this Saturday in Cary, North Carolina. With new faces and familiar stars, the Dash are looking to make their mark in the league once again.

Leading the charge for the Dash is head coach Fran Alonso, who brings a wealth of experience from his successful stint with Celtic Women’s FC. Alonso’s energy and passion are sure to inspire the team as they gear up for their first match under his leadership.

To bolster their attack, General Manager Alex Singer has brought in forwards Yuki Nagasato and Cece Kizer. Kizer, returning for her second stint with the club, showed her scoring prowess last season with 7 goals for the Kansas City Current. Meanwhile, Nagasato, a seasoned veteran, joins the Dash after five strong seasons with the Chicago Red Stars.

Excitingly, Mexican international María Sánchez has also re-signed with the Dash, solidifying their attacking force. Sánchez, a key player for Houston since 2022, led the team in assists last season and remains a crucial part of their strategy moving forward.

In goal, the Dash boast the reigning NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, Jane Campbell. Campbell’s stellar performance helped Houston achieve one of the league’s lowest goals against average in 2023. Despite her recent success with the United States Women’s National Team, Campbell is ready to defend her title with the Dash.

Houston Dash fall short against San Diego Wave FC

Video courtesy of Houston Dash

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (September 3, 2023) In an intense showdown on the soccer field, the Houston Dash faced off against San Diego Wave FC, and it was a game that kept fans at the edge of their seats. Despite their best efforts, the Dash ultimately fell to the Wave 1-0, and here's how it all unfolded.

The turning point of the match came in the 33rd minute when Dash defender Michelle Alozie received a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. The video assistant referee reviewed the play, confirming the call and leaving the Dash with only 10 players on the field.

San Diego's Christen Westphal seized the moment and found Jaedyn Shaw inside the box, where Shaw netted the sole goal of the game.

The Dash fought back valiantly, with midfielder Marissa Viggiano's seventh-minute shot marking their first attempt. However, it sailed off target. Moments later, Kyra Carusa and Danielle Colaprico from the Wave both had opportunities, but their shots missed the mark.

Forward Nichelle Prince made her season debut, displaying incredible resilience after recovering from a ruptured Achilles' tendon in 2022. Although she helped spark a promising cross, the Dash couldn't convert the opportunity.

Defender Katie Lind made a crucial clearance in the 25th minute, preventing a potential threat from Alex Morgan. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell made nine saves throughout the match, showcasing her exceptional skills and marking her 402nd career save in regular season play.

As the second half began, Houston found themselves under heavy pressure. A close call came when Morgan's shot bounced off the crossbar, and Rachel Hill's header missed the target.

Dash defender Caprice Dydasco played a pivotal role, making a goal line clearance in the 62nd minute to deny Carusa. She ended the match with five clearances and two interceptions.

In the 82nd minute, Brazilian midfielder Andressa Alves made her debut for the NWSL and the Houston Dash, adding to the excitement for Dash fans. Alves had recently returned from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Houston Dash down Racing Louisville 1-0

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 31, 2023) On Saturday, July 29 the Houston Dash took on Racing Louisville at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston. While the Dash was missing seven of their international players to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, that didn’t slow them down in their meeting with Racing Louisville. 

The Dash beat Racing Louisville 1-0 in the UKG Challenge Cup play. Undefeated in Challenge Cup play, Racing Louisville put up a good fight with 15 shots on goal and Dash Goalkeeper Jane Campbell deflected all 15 earning her a clean sheet. Forward Ebony Salmon scored in the 25th minute scoring the night’s only goal. 

The game was also the Dash’s most recent acquisition, Sarah Putigam entering the game in the second half. The Dash will end their Challenge Cup play on August 5th at SeatGeek Stadium taking on the Chicago Red Stars.

Houston Dash, OL Reign battle to scoreless draw

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEX AS (June 17, 2023)  The third-largest crowd in team history watched the Houston Dash earned one point in a scoreless draw against OL Reign at Shell Energy Stadium. 

In the fourth minute, forwards María Sanchez and Diana Ordonez almost connected on a goal, but the ball narrowly missed the head of Ordonez. Sanchez had a free kick opportunity in the 22nd minute but Tullis-Joyce made a diving save to prevent a goal.  Forward Michelle Alozie also had a chance to score in the 35th minute, but Tullis-Joyce managed to handle the ball before Alozie could put it past her.

The Dash played the second half with only 10 players after defender Natalie Jacobs was given a red card one minute into added time of the first half for, as was stated by the referee as "Denying an Obvious Goal Scoring Opportunity."

Despite being down a player, Houston attempted 18 shots, their highest total this season, and forced OL Reign goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to make five saves. The Dash also limited the Reign's attack to only eight shots, resulting in the team's fifth clear slate of the year. 

In the second half, goalkeeper Jane Campbell made a key save early in the game and finished the night with one save. Midfielder Joelle Anderson had two close attempts at a goal, but OL Reign defenders prevented her shots from finding the back of the net. 

Forward Ebony Salmon, a substitute in the 85th minute, immediately applied pressure to the back line and created opportunities for the Dash. In the end, Houston had two more chances to score in stoppage time, but OL Reign's defense prevented any goals from being scored.

Houston Dash down North Carolina Courage 4-3

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2022 All Rights Reserved

CARY, NORTH CAROLINA (June 19, 2022) The Houston Dash secured thee points and ascended to second place in the NWSL standings with a 4-3 win over the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park. With the win, Houston posts a 5-3-2 record, for 18 points behind the San Diego Wave going into the international break.

Former Houston Dash midfielder Denise O'Sulivan found the back of the goal first, in the sixth minute, to put the Courage up 1-0. The Dash responded nine minutes later when Maria Sanchez scored her first goal of season to tie the score at one in the 15th minute.

The score remained at 1-1 through the reminder of the first half, and two minutes into the second half. Then, in the 47th minute, the Dash erupted with three goals in four minutes. Elizabeth Eddy secured the brace with back-to-back goals in the 47th and 50th minute. Nichelle Prince added an additional goal one minute later (51st minute).

The Courage came back to cut the score to 3-4 when Diana Ordonoz and Débora Cristiane de Oliveira scored goals in the 57th and 59th minutes, respectively.

GK Lindsey Harris shines in Houston Dash draw with Chicago Red Stars

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (April 10, 2021) The Houston Dash began the defense of their 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup title by battling to a scoreless draw against the Chicago Red Stars on Friday evening. The crowd in attendance at BBVA Stadium saw a spirited defensive battle.in which neither team could get the ball into the goal. With the draw, both teams pick up one point; placing them tied for second in the Cup's West Division standings.

Portland Thorns FC sit atop the West with their 2-1 win over Kansas City. OL Reign hold onto fourth place, having yet to play a match. 

The Dash were playing without the services of seven of their players; six who were away on International Duty. Allysha Chapman, Nichelle Prince, and Sophie Schmidt are currently with the Canadian National Team while Rachel Daly is with England. Jane Campbell and Kristie Mewis are on roster duty for the United States.

Dash goalkeeper Lindsey Harris kept a clean sheet in her Dash debut, a feat that no other goalkeeper before her accomplished. The Austin native made a spectacular diving save in the 18th minute to deny Chicago center back Kayla Sharples. After a Chicago corner was initially cleared, the Red Stars cycled the ball back around to the right flank for a cross. Sharples ran onto it and volleyed it on target from six yards, but Harris leapt across her goal to snatch the shot out of the air. 

When questioned about making the first save of the game early in the first half, Harris stated: 

"Yeah, I usually go into games super nervous until I get my first touches on the ball. It came in (the 18th minute) and (Kayla Sharples) was wide open, but I don't know what happened. I saw it and I just jumped at it. I remember afterwards kind of crawling into a ball and just saying 'don't drop it.' First touch on the ball, so just don't drop it. I kind of curled up into it just to make sure it was safe." 

Head coach James Clarkson talked about the draw in his post game meeting with the press.  

“It was great to be back out there. Ten weeks was a really long time for a preseason – you could see the excitement of the players all the way through. The effort they put in tonight was fantastic. We knew it would be a little bit rusty because we hadn’t played since October other than each other in preseason. We know it's going to take a couple of weeks, but what they could ultimate control was ultimately fantastic.” 

 

Houston Dash select FW Joelle Anderson & FW Makamae Gomera-Stevens at 2021 NWSL Draft

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 13, 2021) The Houston Dash selected forwards 

Joelle Anderson 

and Makamae Gomera-Stevens the 2021 NWSL Draft earlier today. The team picked Anderson with the 6th pick in Round 3 (26th overall) and took Gomera-Stevens with the 7th pick in Round 3 (27th overall). 

 “These are two players that we had anticipated going much higher, so for them to still be around at this stage is really exciting for us because we feel we’ve managed to get two outstanding picks out of this draft,”

 said Dash Head Coach James Clarkson. 

“We’ve spoken to them, and they’re thrilled that we’ve drafted them. We think they can really add depth in the midfield and in the forward lines, so we’re excited.”

Anderson has spent three seasons at Pepperdine University, scoring 21 goals and tallying 13 assists for the Waves and starting in 40 of 55 appearances. The San Jose, California native was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First-Team and All WCC first team in 2019 and earned WCC All-Academic and WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “bronze” honorable mentions. As a freshman, Anderson made the Top-Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI Second Team.  

Gomera-Stevens has started in 52 of 64 appearances at Washington State University and scored nine goals, four of which were game-winners, while providing eight assists. The Kapolei, Hawaii native became the first player in Cougars history to be called in to a U.S. Women’s Senior National Team Camp in December of 2019.  

Both draftees bring experience in the U.S. Women’s National Team system to the team, as Anderson was invited to the U.S. U-19 National team camp in February in 2018.  

Anderson and Gomera-Stevens each plan to finish their collegiate career through the 2021 NCAA season. The Dash have 23 players on their active roster ahead of the 2021 NWSL season.  

Houston Dash sign defender Annika Schmidt

Photo courtesy of
Butler University
Athletic Communications
Used with permission 

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 4, 2021) The Houston Dash have announced the signing of defender Annika Schmidt to a one-year contract through 2021, with an option to extend said contract through 2022. The Zionsville, Indiana native spend the 2020 season with Göteborg FC in Sweden. 

Prior to her time in Sweden, the Zionsville, Indiana native played collegiately at Butler University and the University of Connecticut. She was a three-time All-Big East first-team selection while starting 53 of 57 career appearances for the Bulldogs; scoring five goals with two assists.

Before playing at Butler, she spent her freshman year (2016-2017) at the University of Connecticut where she made 15 appearances for the Huskies; scoring one goal. 

Schmidt will join Allysha Chapman, Megan Oyster, All Prisock, and Katie Naughton as defenders for the Dash.

Meet Houston Dash forward Shea Groom

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

By Jennifer Edwards
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 28, 2020) On Sunday, July 26, over 653,000 people tuned their televisions to watch the finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup. They were treated to a great game between the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars. The Red Stars are used to being in the finals position. They were in the finals of the 2019 NWSL regular season against the North Carolina Courage. They came in the runners-up that year, just as they did this year. Fans were treated to a team they don’t normally see make it out of regular season play, the Houston Dash. While Houston fans know their players, a player that was traded for stood out and shined in the finals. 

Shea Groom (shown above), a forward for the Dash, made herself a household name on Sunday. Her outstanding performance in the stoppage time of the second half showed Groom’s tenacity, as well as her ability to read a play and dismantle it just as quickly. Groom scored on a breakaway play after pulling veteran goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, off her line solidified the Dash’s place in NWSL history. For this play, the 2014 Texas A&M graduate

Photo by
Darla S Tamulitis
La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved

earned the Most Valuable Player for the final game award. Groom is known for throwing herself 100% into each and every play, which is a good thing, and sometimes, a bad thing sometimes. Over the course of the tournament, Groom could be seen charging headlong into the play and positioning herself to be at the right place at the right time. 

The Groom Airways celebration was seen twice during the tournament ,and created a lasting impression on many people watching. Dash fans hope to see her play in person next season in her bright orange uniform and the same “go get ‘em” attitude.