The Houston Dash announced their 23-player roster ahead of the Verizon NWSL Community Shield this morning. The Dash begin play in the Community Shield on Friday night when they visit the North Carolina Courage in a match set to kick off at 6 p.m. CDT.
The Dash have signed defender Lauren Silver to a short-term contract, the club also announced. Silver joins Houston as the club announces 23-player roster ahead of the 2020 NWSL Fall Series.
Additionally, forward Kayla McCoy has been removed from the 23-player roster after suffering a knee injury during training. She underwent successful surgery last week and is expected to make a full recovery.
Silver joins Houston adding extensive international experience and depth into the team. The American-born Jamaican defender has been a member of the Jamaican Women’s National Team having earned 24 caps and a goal under her belt since 2014. Most recently, Silver spent the 2019 season with Norwegian side Trondheims-Ørn. Silver has also played in the French, Scottish and Swedish leagues.
The 27-year-old started her professional career as a trialist when the Dash signed her to the 2015 pre-season roster. Silver went on to spend the 2015 season with Swedish team Bollstanäs SK, earning 5 appearances.
The Miami native enjoyed a successful four-year career at the University of Florida, scoring three goals in 82 appearances for the Gators from 2011 to 2014.
PLAYER PROFILE
FULL NAME: Lauren Amanda Silver
DATE OF BIRTH: March 22, 1993 (27 years old)
HEIGHT:5’2”
BIRTHPLACE: Miami, Florida
HOMETOWN: Miami, Florida
PREVIOUS CLUB: Trondheims-Ørn (Norway)
FIFA NATIONALITY: Jamaica
Houston Dash 23-player Roster
| GOALKEEPERS (3) | ||||
| No. | Player | NWSL Exp. | FIFA Nationality | |
1 | Jane Campbell | 4 | USA | |
20 | Lindsey Harris | 1 | USA | |
99 | Amanda Dennis | 1 | USA | |
| DEFENDERS (6) | ||||
| No. | Player | NWSL Exp. | FIFA Nationality | |
2 | Allysha Chapman | 6 | Canada | |
11 | Megan Oyster | 6 | USA | |
15 | Lauren Silver | 1 | Jamaica | |
17 | Erin Simon | 1 | USA | |
23 | Ally Prisock | 2 | USA | |
25 | Katie Naughton | 5 | USA | |
| MIDFIELDERS (8) | ||||
| No. | Player | NWSL Exp. | FIFA Nationality | |
6 | Shea Groom | 6 | USA | |
9 | Haley Hanson | 3 | USA | |
10 | Christine Nairn | 7 | USA | |
13 | Sophie Schmidt | 8 | Canada | |
14 | Bri Visalli | 2 | USA | |
15 | Cece Kizer | 2 | USA | |
19 | Kristie Mewis | 6 | USA | |
28 | Cami Privett | 3 | USA | |
| FORWARDS (6) | ||||
| No. | Player | NWSL Exp. | FIFA Nationality | |
4 | Maegan Kelly | 2 | Canada | |
7 | Katie Stengel | 6 | USA | |
8 | Nichelle Prince | 4 | Canada | |
12 | Veronica Latsko | 3 | USA | |
24 | Jamia Fields | 3 | USA | |
26 | Bridgette Andrzejewski | 1 | USA | |
Dash head coach James Clarkson returns in his second year leading the club after joining last season as the fourth full-time head coach in club history on Dec. 11. Clarkson led the Dash to the first league title in club history earlier this summer when they won the NWSL Challenge Cup.
In the Community Shield, the team will be led on the pitch by co-captain Jane Campbell. Daly’s fellow captain, Rachel Daly, is away on loan with English club West Ham United FC through the remainder of the year.
During the offseason, Houston acquired center backs Katie Naughton and Megan Oyster who were both stout defenders for Houston in the team’s successful Challenge Cup run. With the team’s 2019 MVP player and goalkeeper Campbell holding it down in goal, Houston will look to build on last season’s campaign and earn a spot in the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup playoffs.
Offensively, the team will be led by midfielders Kristie Mewis, Bri Visalli and Sophie Schmidt as well as forwards Shea Groom, Nichelle Prince and Veronica Latsko who will look to create a dangerous attack for Houston. Mewis and Schmidt bring experience and depth in the midfield, both scoring crucial goals during the Challenge Cup and are joined by Groom, who tied Daly and NC Courage forward Lynn Williams for most goals scored during the tournament with three, including the insurance goal-winner in the Championship final against Chicago Red Stars.
The Dash will begin the Fall Series this week as they travel to North Carolina on Friday, Sept. 11 to take on the Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park. Houston is set to host the Courage and Orlando Pride on Sept. 26 and Oct. 4 at BBVA Stadium before they travel to Orlando to close the fall series against the Pride on Oct. 9 at Osceola County Stadium.
