HOUSTON (July 26, 2024) - The Houston Dash open a two-game homestand on Sunday, July 28 when they host Tigres UANL Femenil at Shell Energy Stadium at 7 p.m. CT. This is the third all-time meeting between the two teams and the first competitive match as part of the inaugural NWSL x LIGA MX Femenil Summer Cup.
Houston opened the tournament last week in Missouri against the Kansas City Current. Yuki Nagasato scored for the Dash, but Kansas City claimed three points with a 3-1 triumph at home. This was the first goal for Nagasato with the team and her first goal since Sept. 3, 2023, where she scored in Chicago’s 2-0 victory over the Washington Spirit.
Three players made their Dash and NWSL debut in Kansas City last week. Erin McKinney started in goal and finished with five saves. Madison Wolfbauer signed a national team replacement contract earlier in the week and played the final 20 minutes of the match. She created one chance and finished with two recoveries. Madison Ayson entered the match in the 84th minute and created one chance and finished with three crosses.
Sunday’s match is the third meeting between the two teams and the second match at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dash defeated the six-time LIGA MX Femenil champions 5-1 in Houston in 2021, the most recent meeting between the two teams. Tigres claimed a 2-1 victory in the first ever meeting in 2019 at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. The match in 2019 marked the first time an NWSL team traveled to Mexico for an international friendly.
The Monterrey-based team is one of the most successful teams in Mexico, reaching the championship game nine times since 2018 and winning six titles. Tigres held the top spot for 16 of the 17 weeks during the most recent tournament, the Clausura 2024 season and reached the semifinals of the liguilla.
Tigres began the Apertura 2024 season with back-to-back victories and are currently tied for first place in the league table. That form continued in their opening match of the Summer Cup as Tigres defeated Pachuca 4-2 at home last week. Among the goal scorers was Thembi Kgatlana, who played for the Dash in 2018.
The Dash will close the two-game Summer Cup homestand on Thursday, Aug. 1 when they host Club de Futbol Pachuca. The team returns to league play on Aug. 23 at home against the Orlando Pride. Tickets for all Houston Dash games at Shell Energy Stadium are available HERE.
