Fleet Week coming to Houston April 15-22, 2026

Photo by Michael Afonso via Unsplash.com

By Chris Price

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 15, 2026) Houston is getting ready for an exciting new event: Fleet Week Houston.

 This first-time celebration will honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Mayor John Whitmire announced the new dates in partnership with the United States Navy. The weeklong event was postponed last year because of a federal government shutdown. Now, it will take place from April 15-22, 2026.

Fleet Week Houston will bring several military ships and more than 1,000 active-duty service members to the city. It will celebrate their hard work at sea, both close to home and around the world. The event will also highlight Houston's important role as a major global port city. Plus, it will help build stronger ties between the military and local people.
Visitors can look forward to lots of fun public activities. These include tours of the ships, live demonstrations, expos, concerts, parades, educational programs, and community service projects. Key spots for the events will be the Port of Houston, Downtown Houston (City Hall, Post Houston, and Discovery Green), the East End, and nearby neighborhoods.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated, 

“The City of Houston never forgot its commitment to hosting Fleet Week Houston, and I am excited about the new dates and honored to host the men and women who serve our country.”

Fleet Week events have been popular for years in cities like New York, San Francisco, San Diego, and Miami. They let communities meet sea service members while giving the visitors a chance to experience local culture.

Post match press conference with Houston Dynamo FC head coach Ben Olsen 3/14/2026

Houston Dynamo FC 3, Portland Timbers 2

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

 

Houston Dash win season opener 1-0 over San Diego Wave FC

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo FC/Houston Dash, Used with permission 

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (March 14, 2026) The Houston Dash opened the 2026 season with a strong performance on the road, defeating San Diego Wave FC 1-0 on Saturday night at Snapdragon Stadium.

Forward Makenzey Robbe scored the only goal of the match in first-half stoppage time. The forward finished a pass from midfielder Maggie Graham with a right-footed shot at the far post. It was Robbe’s first goal for Houston and gave the Dash the lead just before halftime.

The victory was an important milestone for Houston. It marked the team’s first season-opening win since 2017 and the club’s first-ever road victory on opening weekend in the National Women's Soccer League.

Goalkeeper Jane Campbell played a key role in the win. She made nine saves and kept San Diego off the scoreboard. Early in the match, Campbell stopped a close shot from Dudinha in the ninth minute. Defender Malia Berkely then cleared the loose ball before it could cross the goal line.

Houston also created chances before scoring. In the 27th minute, Graham found midfielder Linda Ullmark near the top of the box. Ullmark’s shot hit the post, and her rebound attempt was blocked before forward Kate Faasse had a shot saved.

Several Dash players made their professional debut in the match, including Ullmark, Faasse, defender Leah Klenke and forward Kat Rader.

Campbell protected the lead late in the game. She made two key saves in the second half, stopping shots from Kristen McNabb and Lia Godfrey.

The shutout was Campbell’s 43rd regular-season clean sheet, placing her among the league’s top goalkeepers.

Houston will return home next Saturday, March 21, to host Boston Legacy FC at Shell Energy Stadium in its home opener.

Houston Dynamo FC comes from behind to down Portland Timbers

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 14, 2026) The Houston Dynamo FC earned a dramatic 3–2 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium, scoring three second-half goals to complete a thrilling comeback.

The winning moment came deep into stoppage time. In the 15th minute of second-half stoppage time, attacker Mateusz Bogusz fired a right-footed shot that struck the inside of the far post and rolled into the net. It was Bogusz’s first goal for Houston and one of the latest goals ever scored in Major League Soccer history.

Houston had to rally after falling behind late in the first half. Portland took a 1–0 lead in stoppage time when Gage Guerra scored on a rebound after Dynamo goalkeeper Jonathan Bond saved a penalty kick.

The Dynamo responded in the second half. In the 62nd minute, Bogusz delivered a cross to Guilherme (shown above right) at the far post, and the forward headed the ball into the net to tie the match.

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

Houston took the lead in the 77th minute when defender Felipe Andrade (shown left) scored with a powerful long-range shot into the bottom corner. It marked Andrade’s first goal of the season in his 2026 debut.

Portland answered quickly, as Kristoffer Velde scored from inside the box in the 80th minute to even the match at 2–2.

The game grew even more tense late when Houston went down to 10 men. Defender Nick Markanich received a red card in the 94th minute after a foul on goalkeeper James Pantemis.

Despite being a man down, Houston found the winner moments later. Midfielder Jack McGlynn launched a long pass forward that set up Bogusz’s dramatic finish.

Bond finished the night with six saves to help secure the victory.

The Dynamo now turn their attention to a Texas rivalry match against FC Dallas on March 21 in their first road trip of the season. 

UJRGV downs Northwestern State 76-67

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 10, 2026) The No. 4 seed UTRGV Vaqueros made history Tuesday morning, picking up their first Southland Conference Tournament win with a 76–67 victory over No. 5 seed Northwestern State in the quarterfinals of the Southland Conference Basketball Championships 

In just their second season in the league, UTRGV advanced to the semifinals for the first time. Last year, the Vaqueros fell in their tournament opener.
The game stayed close early. UTRGV trailed 28–27 at halftime, but everything changed in the third quarter. The Vaqueros exploded for 30 points while holding Northwestern State to just 14. That big run turned a one-point deficit into a 57–42 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Jalayah Ingram led the way with 22 points. She was perfect at the free throw line, making all 12 of her attempts, and added eight rebounds and six assists. Charlotte O’Keefe grabbed a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gianna Angiolet scored 11 points, and Chazlyn Dettor added 10.
UTRGV shot 47 percent from the field and went a perfect 20-for-20 at the free throw line. That ties for the second-best free throw performance in Southland Conference Tournament history.
The Vaqueros also won the rebounding battle 36–30 and scored 32 points in the paint. Northwestern State got 30 points from Nya Valentine and 17 from Southland Player of the Year Vernell Atamah.
With the win, UTRGV improves to 20–12 and will face top-seeded McNeese in the semifinals Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.

SFA Ladyjacks rally past Nicholls Colonels to reach semifinals of Southland Tournament

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 10, 2026)  The defending champion Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks showed why they are tough to beat in the Southland Conference tournament. They came from behind to beat the Nicholls Colonels 63–60 on Tuesday afternoon at the 2026 Air Force Reserve Southland Conference Women’s Basketball Championship.

Nicholls started strong. Led by Sh’Diamond McKnight, the Colonels jumped out to a 17–9 lead after the first quarter. They pushed their advantage to 11 points in the second quarter and took a 29–23 lead into halftime. SFA struggled early, making only 33 percent of their shots in the first half.
The Ladyjacks exploded for 27 points in the third quarter. They played tough defense and pushed the ball fast in transition. Myka Perry and Harmanie Dominguez led the charge. SFA turned their six-point deficit into a 50–46 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The final period was full of excitement. Both teams traded baskets, but SFA kept finding answers. Perry hit a big three-point play late in the third to give her team some space. The Ladyjacks’ defense stepped up with key stops in the closing minutes to hold on for the win.
Myka Perry led SFA with 18 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. She controlled the boards during the comeback. Key Roseby added 13 points, and Harmanie Dominguez scored 11, including several important shots in the third-quarter run.
McKnight had a game-high 21 points for Nicholls, but SFA limited extra chances in the end.With the victory, the No. 3 seed Ladyjacks move on to the semifinals. They will face No. 2 Lamar on Wednesday at 1 p.m. on ESPN+ in a rematch of last year’s semifinal.

Vaqueros dominate in historic tournament debut, Roll past Nicholls 86-68

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (March 9, 2026)  In their very first Southland Conference men's basketball tournament game, the UTRGV Vaqueros sent a loud message: "They belong here."

The No. 3 seed Vaqueros dominated from start to finish, cruising to an impressive 86–68 quarterfinal win over the Nicholls Colonels on Monday night.
UTRGV jumped out strong and never looked back. Sharp shooting and balanced scoring kept Nicholls on its heels all evening.
The Vaqueros finished the night red-hot, shooting 58.5 percent from the field and connecting on 50 percent of their three-point attempts. They were flawless at the free-throw line, going a perfect 12-for-12. Five players reached double figures as UTRGV's offense clicked on every level.
Filip Brankovic led the charge with 21 points, hitting 9 of 12 shots while adding five rebounds and three assists in a complete performance. Koree Cotton poured in 18 points and dished out five assists. Jaylen Washington added 15 points, Marvin McGhee III scored 13, and Julien Gomez contributed 12 to keep the scoring spread out.
The Vaqueros took control in the first half, building momentum and heading to the locker room with a 44–32 lead. They stayed aggressive after the break, shooting a sizzling 68 percent from the field in the second half and pushing the lead to as many as 25 points.
Nicholls grabbed a brief early lead, but UTRGV answered with a big run midway through the opening period. After that, the Vaqueros led for more than 39 minutes and never let the Colonels get closer than 10 points in the second half.
Trae English paced Nicholls with 17 points, and Jalin Rice added 13 for the Colonels.The victory improves UTRGV to 19–13 on the season and sends them into the semifinals for the first time in program history as Southland members.
Next up, the Vaqueros will take on No. 2 seed McNeese Cowboys on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. CT. A win would put UTRGV in the conference championship game.