1. Open Cup Glory
Any list of the top events at PNC Stadium has to begin with the most recent championship in Dynamo history, and the only one captured at home. Forward Mauro Manotas wasted no time opening up the scoring in this match, heading home a goal in just the fourth minute before adding another in the 25th. The Dynamo went on to win the game 3-0 in front of a raucous crowd of 16,060.
2. Brad Davis’ Goal on Opening Day
The first match in PNC Stadium history was played on May 12, 2012 when the Dynamo defeated DC United by a score of 1-0. The lone goal came in this match courtesy of midfielder Brad Davis from 35 yards out. The win happened in front of a capacity crowd of 22,039 and marked the beginning of what would be an unbeaten year for the Dynamo at home, posting a year-end home record of 11-0-6.
3. Ella Masar scores first goal in Houston Dash History When the Houston Dash first entered the NWSL as an expansion team in 2014, there was considerable excitement around launching the only professional women’s sports team in Space City. On May 23, 2014, Ella Masar recorded the first goal in team history in the 51st minute of a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Red Stars.
4. Latinomix Live
Not all of the most memorable moments at PNC Stadium have been centered on soccer. On August 7, 2021, the stadium hosted its biggest concert ever when it hosted Latinomix Live, which featured a star-studded lineup with world-renowned artists such as Ozuna, J Balvin, and more.
5. Rachel Daly breaks the scoring record
Since arriving in Houston in 2016, Rachel Daly has proven herself to be one of the most potent scoring threats in the NWSL. She backed this up on April 26, 2021, when she scored her 29th career goal against the Kansas City Current, making her the all-time leading scorer in Houston Dash history.
6. Jane Campbell and Haley Hanson make their debuts for the USWNT
Houston Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell had the pleasure of making her USWNT debut in her home stadium on Sunday, April 9, 2017when the team faced off against Russia in a friendly at PNC Stadium. Campbell came on as a substitute in the 74th minute and did not allow a goal in the time that she played as the Americans won 5-1.
Almost exactly one year after Campbell’s debut, defender Haley Hanson made her USWNT debut when the team squared off against Mexico on April 8, 2018. Hanson came on as a substitute in the 40th minute and helped lead the team to a 6-2 victory.
7. Argentina vs Boliva ft. Lionel Messi
When Argentina took on Bolivia in a friendly on September 4, 2015, arguably the greatest soccer player in history graced the pitch at PNC Stadium as Lionel Messi and co. took down their South American rivals 7-0. Messi, Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi each scored braces as part of this rout.
8. Stadium groundbreaking
While the stadium broke ground on February 5, 2011, a little over a year before it actually opened this is still a crucial moment in PNC Stadium history. The event featured Houston mayor Annise Parker and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, as excitement built for the first soccer-specific downtown stadium in the country.
9. Welcoming home champions
The Houston Dash have seen a number of champions grace the pitch at PNC stadium. This began when the team traded for USWNT legend Carli Lloyd ahead of the 2015 World Cup. Lloyd, who debuted for the Dash prior to the World Cup in 2015, vaulted to superstardom with her hat trick in the Final and returned to PNC Stadium alongside USWNT and Dash teammates Morgan Brian and Meghan Klingenberg on July 12 in front of a franchise-record crowd of 13,025.
While Dash fans did not get the chance to watch their team win the 2020 Challenge Cup, as the entire tournament took place at Utah’s Zion Bank Stadium, fans had plenty to celebrate when the team made its triumphant return to Houston for the celebration parade, albeit with a twist. Instead of the traditional parade through downtown with fans lining the streets, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Dash to get creative. The team threw a drive-thru celebration, with fans driving past the team, honking and waving (and in at least one case, delivering beer) as it was set up outside of the stadium.
In the 2020 Olympics, the Houston Dash had six players representing their countries, including three who won the gold medal with Team Canada. Forward Nichelle Prince, defender Allysha Chapman and midfielder Sophie Schmidt returned to PNC Stadium on Sunday, August 29 with their new hardware, and were celebrated resoundingly by the thousands of Dash fans that showed up to congratulate them on their achievement.
10. Dynamo 36-game home unbeaten streak
No list of accomplishments at PNC Stadium would be complete without the 36-game home unbeaten streak. Starting in June 2011, when the team was still playing at Robertson Stadium, the Dynamo did not lose at home when they opened up PNC Stadium until May 12, 2013. One of the players to play a key role in ending this streak was current Houston Dynamo FC head coach Paulo Nagamura, who is now looking to hopefully start a new run of home dominance with the Dynamo.
