The Houston Dash have signed two stars of the reigning Olympic Gold Medal-winning Canadian Women’s National Team to new contract extensions, the team announced today.
Midfielder Sophie Schmidt, has signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Club through the 2024 season. Defender Allysha Chapman has signed a one-year contract extension through the end of next season. Additionally, both contracts include option years.
The duo played a key role in helping the Dash earn the team’s first ever playoff berth making double-digit appearances and starts during the regular season.
Schmidt first joined the Dash from German club FFC Frankfurt in 2019. Since then, the Canadian midfielder has made 70 appearances across all competitions in Orange. Schmidt has played fifteen games and scored three goals for the Dash this season and has been a mainstay in Houston’s midfield as the team made history this year earning its first-ever playoff appearance.
"Keeping Sophie with us in Houston was a top priority as she has consistently been one of the most impactful players on our roster,” Dash general manger Alex Singer said. “She is a leader on and off the field and the definition of a professional. I’m thrilled she will remain with us long term as we build our foundation around her core qualities. “
Chapman has spent the majority of her NWSL career with the Dash. The eight-year veteran has played in more than 100 NWSL matches across all competitions. The gritty defender has played a key role in Houston’s five clean sheets this season. From her left back position, Chapman has started fourteen matches, accounted for four blocks, 25 clearances and has won 11 tackles this season.
“Allysha is a grueling defender on the field and a dedicated teammate off the field,” Singer said. “She is the definition of grit and determination and embodies everything this club stands for. We are elated she chose to stay with the club for one more season.”
Both players have been mainstays in the Canadian Women’s National Team for several years. Schmidt and Chapman played alongside one another in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which saw the Canadians win the gold medal.
Schmidt has 192 career starts in 215 appearances on the international level. During the Women’s Concacaf Tournament this past July in Monterrey, Mexico, Schmidt scored a goal against Costa Rica, becoming one of three Canadian players to score at least one goal in three different decades.
Chapman has 92 career appearances with the Canada WNT. Chapman scored her second career international goal during the Women’s Concacaf Tournament in July.
