The Houston Dash will celebrate their fifth season at BBVA Compass Stadium in 2018 with revamped celebrations throughout the year to commemorate milestones and fan-favorite themes, the club announced today.
Additional information will be available after the full 12-game season schedule is released in 2018. Tickets for the upcoming regular season are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com.
Houston was awarded the first expansion franchise in NWSL history on Dec. 12 2013 and selected current team captain Kealia Ohai with the second overall selection in the 2014 NWSL College Draft. The Dash opened their inaugural campaign at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 12 and a week later defeated the Boston Breakers for their first regular season victory in franchise history with goals from Ella Masar and a brace from Teresa Noyola.
Houston finished one spot short of the NWSL playoffs in 2015 when the team finished fifth, the best regular season finish in club history to date.
In 2016, Ohai set a club record for goals in a single season with 11 and also earned her first senior U.S. Women’s National Team cap. The forward scored 48 seconds into her debut, the fastest debut goal in program history.
The Dash set a new record for points earned during an unbeaten run last season when they went undefeated in six games to earn 14 points from June 24-July 22.The club finished with the most victories in franchise history at seven and tied the club record for points earned in season with 24.
Vera Pauw was appointed the second full-time head coach in franchise history last month. The Amsterdam native joined the Dash after two years with the South African Women’s National Team. Pauw led Banyana Banyana to their second consecutive Olympic Games in the 2016 edition in Rio de Janeiro.
Houston’s current roster includes the back-to-back FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Carli Lloyd, who was crucial in the USWNT’s 2015 FIFA World Cup championship victory. Additionally, Janine Beckie and Nichelle Prince won the bronze medal with the Canadian Women’s National Team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the second bronze medal in program history.
