2026 Houston Dash season
National Women's Soccer League season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Houston Dash season is the team's thirteenth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
President of Women's SoccerAngela Hucles Mangano
Head CoachFabrice Gautrat
StadiumShell Energy Stadium
(capacity: 20,656)
(capacity: 20,656)
| 2026 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | List of Houston Dash owners | |||
| President of Women's Soccer | Angela Hucles Mangano | |||
| Head Coach | Fabrice Gautrat | |||
| Stadium | Shell Energy Stadium (capacity: 20,656) | |||
| League | ||||
|
| ||||
| All statistics correct as of Preseason. | ||||
Background
In head coach Fabrice Gautrat's first season leading the club, the Dash finished in 10th place out of 14 teams and failed to qualify for the 2025 NWSL playoffs. The team's scoring offense was second to last, with 27 goals scored in the regular season, and its defense conceded 39 goals. Yazmeen Ryan led the team in scoring with 4 goals,[1] and goalkeeper Jane Campbell reached 600 career saves and 15,000 career minutes played.[2]
In the offseason, the Dash traded Michelle Alozie to Chicago Stars FC, lost free agent and 2025 assists leader Ryan Gareis to Chicago, and lost backup goalkeeper Abby Smith to Denver Summit FC. Centerback Katie Lind also retired.[1]
Houston acquired former San Diego Wave FC forward Makenzy Robbe, and also signed several rookies, including 2024 Hermann Trophy winner Kate Faasse from the North Carolina Tar Heels, Kat Rader from Duke, Linda Ullmark from the Tar Heels, and Leah Klenke from Notre Dame.[1]
Players and staff
Current squad
- As of August 9, 2026.[3]
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK |  USA |
Jane Campbell |
| 2 | DF |  CAN |
Allysha Chapman |
| 4 | DF | USA |
Leah Klenke |
| 6 | FW | USA |
Messiah Bright |
| 7 | MF |  SWE |
Evelina Duljan |
| 8 | DF | USA |
Natalie Hammond |
| 9 | FW | CAN |
Clarissa Larisey |
| 10 | DF | USA |
Malia Berkely |
| 12 | MF |  JAM |
Kiki Van Zanten |
| 13 | MF | CAN |
Sophie Schmidt |
| 14 | DF | USA |
Paige Nielsen |
| 15 | DF | USA |
Avery Patterson |
| 17 | MF |  AUT |
Sarah Puntigam |
| 18 | DF | USA |
Cate Hardin |
| 19 | MF | USA |
Maggie Graham |
| 21 | GK | USA |
Hillary Beall |
| 22 | FW | USA |
Kat Rader |
| 23 | FW | USA |
Kate Faasse |
| 24 | MF | USA |
Danielle Colaprico |
| 25 | FW | USA |
Makenzy Robbe (SEI[4]) |
| 27 | DF |  ITA |
Lisa Boattin |
| 30 | MF | USA |
Linda Ullmark |
| 34 | MF | USA |
Khyah Harper |
| 40 | GK | USA |
Caroline DeLisle |
| 47 | FW |  SRB |
Miljana Ivanović |
Out on loan
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | GK | USA |
Liz Beardsley (at Tampa Bay Sun FC[5]) |
| 16 | FW | CAN |
Amanda West (at FC Rosengård[6]) |
| 29 | DF |  BRA |
Rebeca Costa Da Silva (at Dux Logroño[7]) |
| 33 | DF | USA |
Jyllissa Harris (at Ottawa Rapid FC[8]) |
Current staff
- As of March 28, 2026.[9]
| Executive | |
|---|---|
| President of Women's Soccer | Angela Hucles Mangano |
| Assistant General Manager | Jason Lowe |
| Coaching | |
| Head Coach | Fabrice Gautrat |
| Assistant Coach | Emma Wright-Cates |
| Assistant Coach | Jaime Frias |
| Assistant Coach | Oscar Rivero |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Matt Pickens |
| Assistant Goalkeeper Coach | Megan Kinneman |
| Player Development Coach | Marina Schachowskoj |
| Technical Staff | |
| Technical Director | Twila Kilgore[10] |
| Director of Recruitment and Analytics | Michael Poma |
| Recruitment Analyst | Adelaide Gilley |
| Data and Video Analyst | Chloe Dhillon |
| Head of Performance | Bethan Lloyd |
| Performance Coach | Jeffery Duarte |
| Applied Sport Scientist | Ariana Dinberg |
| Medical Director | Wafaa Chatila |
| Head Athletic Trainer | Matthew Hutton |
| Assistant Athletic Trainer | Jill Davis |
| Physical Therapist | Dorcas Copa |
| Team Dietitian | Bianca Paulus |
| Dietitian Fellow | Hannah Mitroff |
| Head of Equipment | Matthew Hickman |
| Equipment Manager | Gina Monaco |
| Front Office | |
| Director of Operations & Player Experience | Jessie Vilkofsky |
| Player Care Coordinator | Emily Perez Velez |
| Team Administrator | Claire Quaasdorff |
| Security Manager | Martha Sanchez |
Competitions
Regular season
Regular season standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Denver Summit FC | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 34 | 27 | +7 | 30 |
| 11 | Orlando Pride | 23 | 9 | 2 | 12 | 29 | 34 | −5 | 29 |
| 12 | Houston Dash | 23 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 29 | 33 | −4 | 26 |
| 13 | Racing Louisville FC | 23 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 34 | 45 | −11 | 23 |
| 14 | Boston Legacy FC | 23 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 28 | 40 | −12 | 23 |
Updated to match(es) played on September 6, 2026. Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal difference; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head-to-head points; 6) head-to-head goal goals scored; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (if 2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (if ≥3 clubs tied).
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) total goal difference; 3) total wins; 4) total goals scored; 5) head-to-head points; 6) head-to-head goal goals scored; 7) fewest disciplinary points; 8) coin toss (if 2 clubs tied) or drawing of lots (if ≥3 clubs tied).
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 28 | 30 | −2 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 13 | +6 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 17 | −8 |
Last updated: August 30, 2026.
Source: NWSLsoccer.com
Results by matchday
Updated to match(es) played on August 31, 2026. Source: NWSLsoccer.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = NWSL Shield; = NWSL Playoffs
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; P = Postponed; = NWSL Shield; = NWSL Playoffs
Matches
Win Draw Loss
| March 14, 2026 1 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | San Diego, California |
| 5:45 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Snapdragon Stadium Attendance: 14,078 Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
| March 21, 2026 2 | Houston Dash | 3–0 | Boston Legacy FC | Houston, Texas |
| 3:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) |
|
Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 10,259 Referee: Joe Suchoski |
| March 27, 2026 3 | Angel City FC | 2–1 | Houston Dash | Los Angeles, California |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: BMO Stadium Attendance: 13,896 Referee: Mark Verso |
| April 3, 2026 4 | Houston Dash | 4–3 | Racing Louisville FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:30 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,442 Referee: Alex Billeter |
| April 25, 2026 5 | Houston Dash | 0–1 | North Carolina Courage | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 6,811 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| May 1, 2026 6 | Houston Dash | 0–0 | Seattle Reign FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,465 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| May 6, 2026 7 | Utah Royals FC | 2–0 | Houston Dash | Sandy, Utah |
| 8:00 p.m. MDT (UTC-6) |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: America First Field Attendance: 6,789 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| May 9, 2026 8 | Houston Dash | 1–4 | Denver Summit FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,111 Referee: Laadi Issaka |
| May 15, 2026 9 | Kansas City Current | 3–0 | Houston Dash | Kansas City, Missouri |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: CPKC Stadium Attendance: 11,500 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| May 20, 2026 10 | Houston Dash | 2–2 | San Diego Wave FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,168 Referee: Gerald Flores |
| May 23, 2026 11 | Houston Dash | 2–1 | Angel City FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:45 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 6,207 Referee: Muhammad Kaleia |
| May 31, 2026 12 | Gotham FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | Harrison, New Jersey |
| 3:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Stadium: Sports Illustrated Stadium Attendance: 10,549 Referee: Joshua Encarnacion |
| July 3, 2026 13 | Washington Spirit | 2–1 | Houston Dash | Washington, D.C. |
| 8:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Stadium: Audi Field Attendance: 15,792 Referee: Danielle Chesky |
| July 12, 2026 14 | Denver Summit FC | 2–2 | Houston Dash | Commerce City, Colorado |
| 5:00 p.m. MDT (UTC-6) | Report | Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park Attendance: 15,131 Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
| July 18, 2026 15 | Racing Louisville FC | 1–1 | Houston Dash | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 8:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 4,728 Referee: Matthew Thompson |
| July 24, 2026 16 | Houston Dash | 1–0 | Bay FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,270 Referee: Shawn Tehini |
| August 1, 2026 17 | Houston Dash | 0–1 | Gotham FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,512 Referee: Lauren Aldrich |
| August 8, 2026 18 | Houston Dash | 1–1 | Kansas City Current | Houston, Texas |
| 7:45 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 7,112 Referee: Marie Durr |
| August 16, 2026 19 | North Carolina Courage | 2–3 | Houston Dash | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Attendance: 7,031 Referee: Jamie Padilla |
| August 19, 2026 20 | Houston Dash | 5–0 | Chicago Stars FC | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Report |
|
Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium Attendance: 5,214 Referee: John Matto |
| August 23, 2026 21 | Bay FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | San José, California |
| 3:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report | Stadium: PayPal Park Attendance: 12,548 Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| August 30, 2026 22 | Seattle Reign FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | Seattle, Washington |
| 4:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Lumen Field Attendance: 7,878 Referee: Laura Rodriguez |
| September 6, 2026 23 | Orlando Pride FC | 3–1 | Houston Dash | Orlando, Florida |
| 7:00 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Report |
|
Stadium: Inter.co Stadium Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque |
| September 12, 2026 24 | Houston Dash | – | Utah Royals | Houston, Texas |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium |
| September 20, 2026 25 | Boston Legacy FC | – | Houston Dash | Foxboro, Massachusetts |
| 2:00 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) | Stadium: Gillette Stadium |
| September 26, 2026 26 | Portland Thorns FC | – | Houston Dash | Portland, Oregon |
| 5:45 p.m. PDT (UTC-7) | Stadium: Providence Park |
| October 4, 2026 27 | Houston Dash | – | Washington Spirit | Houston, Texas |
| 6:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium |
| October 18, 2026 28 | Houston Dash | – | Orlando Pride | Houston, Texas |
| 12:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium |
| October 23, 2026 29 | Chicago Stars FC | – | Houston Dash | |
| 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) |
| November 1, 2026 30 | Houston Dash | – | Portland Thorns FC | Houston, Texas |
| 4:00 p.m. CDT (UTC-5) | Stadium: Shell Energy Stadium |
Statistics
- As of August 16, 2026
Appearances and goals
Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | NWSL | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||||||||
| Goalkeepers | |||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | USA |
Jane Campbell | 18 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||||||
| 21 | GK | USA |
Hillary Beall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 40 | GK | USA |
Caroline DeLisle | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ||||||
| Defenders | |||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | CAN |
Allysha Chapman | 13 | 0 | 5+8 | 0 | ||||||
| 4 | DF | USA |
Leah Klenke | 19 | 0 | 18+1 | 0 | ||||||
| 8 | DF | USA |
Natalie Bain | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | ||||||
| 10 | DF | USA |
Malia Berkely | 17 | 0 | 9+8 | 0 | ||||||
| 14 | DF | USA |
Paige Nielsen | 19 | 0 | 18+1 | 0 | ||||||
| 15 | DF | USA |
Avery Patterson | 17 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||
| 18 | DF | USA |
Cate Hardin | 12 | 0 | 6+6 | 0 | ||||||
| 27 | DF | ITA |
Lisa Boattin | 15 | 0 | 9+6 | 0 | ||||||
| Midfielders | |||||||||||||
| 7 | MF | SWE |
Evelina Duljan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 11 | MF |  BIH |
Emina Ekić | 5 | 0 | 1+4 | 0 | ||||||
| 12 | MF | JAM |
Kiki Van Zanten | 14 | 4 | 11+3 | 4 | ||||||
| 13 | MF | CAN |
Sophie Schmidt | 10 | 0 | 0+10 | 0 | ||||||
| 17 | MF | AUT |
Sarah Puntigam | 14 | 1 | 5+9 | 1 | ||||||
| 19 | MF | USA |
Maggie Graham | 19 | 3 | 18+1 | 3 | ||||||
| 24 | MF | USA |
Danielle Colaprico | 19 | 0 | 17+2 | 0 | ||||||
| 30 | MF | USA |
Linda Ullmark | 19 | 2 | 19 | 2 | ||||||
| 34 | MF | USA |
Khyah Harper | 3 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | ||||||
| Forwards | |||||||||||||
| 6 | FW | USA |
Messiah Bright | 8 | 0 | 2+6 | 0 | ||||||
| 9 | FW | CAN |
Clarissa Larisey | 16 | 2 | 2+14 | 2 | ||||||
| 22 | FW | USA |
Kat Rader | 19 | 7 | 18+1 | 7 | ||||||
| 23 | FW | USA |
Kate Faasse | 16 | 3 | 11+5 | 3 | ||||||
| 47 | FW | SRB |
Miljana Ivanović | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||||||
| Other players (departed during season, out on loan, season-ending injury etc.) | |||||||||||||
| 3 | GK | USA |
Liz Beardsley | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 16 | FW | CAN |
Amanda West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 18 | FW | USA |
Yazmeen Ryan | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ||||||
| 25 | FW | USA |
Makenzy Robbe | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | ||||||
| 29 | DF | BRA |
Rebeca Costa Da Silva | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 33 | DF | USA |
Jyllissa Harris | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
Transactions
Re-signings
| Date | Nat. | Player | Pos. | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 9, 2025 | |
Evelina Duljan | MF |
Signed contract through the 2026 season with a 2027 club option. | [11] |
| March 3, 2026 | |
Avery Patterson | FW |
Signed a contract extension through 2028. | [12] |
| June 5, 2026 | |
Maggie Graham | MF |
Signed a contract extension through 2029. | [13] |
Transfers in
| Date | Nat. | Player | Pos. | Previous club | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 8, 2025 | |
Hillary Beall | GK |
San Diego Wave FC |
Signed contract through the 2027 season. | [14] |
| January 7, 2026 | |
Kat Rader | FW |
Duke Blue Devils |
Signed contract through the 2028 season. | [15] |
| January 8, 2026 | |
Leah Klenke | DF |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
Signed contract through the 2028 season. | [16] |
| January 13, 2026 | |
Linda Ullmark | MF |
North Carolina Tar Heels |
Signed contract through the 2029 season. | [17] |
| January 14, 2026 | |
Kate Faasse | FW |
North Carolina Tar Heels |
Signed contract through the 2028 season. | [18] |
| January 22, 2026 | |
Caroline DeLisle | GK |
IFK Norrköping |
Signed contract through the 2026 season. | [19] |
| January 26, 2026 | |
Makenzy Robbe | FW |
San Diego Wave FC |
Signed contract through the 2026 season. | [20] |
| March 5, 2026 | |
Cate Hardin | DF |
Georgia Bulldogs |
Signed contract through the 2026 season. | [21] |
| April 10, 2026 | |
Natalie Bain | DF |
Xavier Musketeers |
Signed contract through the 2026 season. | [22] |
| April 28, 2026 | |
Emina Ekić | MF |
Lexington SC |
Signed contract through the 2027 season with a mutual option for 2028. | [23] |
| June 25, 2026 | |
Miljana Ivanović | FW |
Malmö FF |
Signed contract through the 2028 season. | [24] |
| July 28, 2026 | |
Khyah Harper | MF |
Gotham FC |
Free transfer | [25] |
Transfers out
| Date | Nat. | Player | Pos. | Destination club | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| November 17, 2025 | |
Anna Heilferty | MF |
Tampa Bay Sun FC |
Free agent; short-term contract expired. | [26][27] |
| December 23, 2025 |  |
Michelle Alozie | DF |
Chicago Stars FC |
Traded in exchange for $40,000 of allocation money. | [28] |
| March 19, 2026 | |
Yazmeen Ryan | FW |
Denver Summit FC |
Traded with $150,000 in allocation funds, in exchange for $800,000 in Intra-League Transfer funds and $200,000 in Expansion Allocation funds, as well as up to $100,000 in conditional transfer funds and an additional conditional sell-on fee. | [29] |
|
Delanie Sheehan | MF | ||||
| April 24, 2026 | |
Christen Westphal | DF |
Contract mutually terminated. | [30] | |
| July 1, 2026 | |
Zoe Matthews | DF/MF |
Contract mutually terminated. | [31] | |
| August 17, 2026 | |
Emina Ekić | MF |
Parma |
Traded in exchange for an undisclosed fee. | [32] |