The Houston Dash have signed Canadian internationals Allysha Chapman and Nichelle Prince to new contracts, the club announced today.Both players will return for the 2020 season and the club holds an option for the 2021 season.
“I’m really excited to have Chappy and Nichelle back,” said Dash head coach James Clarkson. “They are quality people and players that bring so much to the group on and off the field.”
Chapman has been a key part of Houston’s back line since re-joining the club in 2018. The experienced defender initially signed for the club in 2015 after two years in Europe and played for Houston from 2015-16. Across both stints with the Dash, Chapman has started in 41 of 43 appearances and has recorded one assist. The Ontario native has represented Canada in two FIFA Women’s World Cups, playing every minute in five games during the team’squarterfinal run on home soil in 2015 and appearing in all four games of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I’m really excited to be back with the Dash this year. We’ve got a lot of new, exciting faces along with a strong core of returners,” Chapman said. “I’m ready for the opportunity to show Houston this group has what it takes.”
Prince joined Houston in 2017as the 28th overall draft pick in the NWSL College Draft and has earned 33 starts in 47 appearances tallying five goals and three assists with the club.The forward scored the opening goal of the 2019 season for the Dash against Reign FC in April before joining Chapman in France for the World Cup. She lifted Canada over New Zealand with her first World Cup goal on June 15, helping Canada qualify for the knockout round.
The Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this month at BBVA Stadium marked Prince’s return to the national team after working her way back to fitness from a season-ending injury at the World Cup.
“I’m super excited to start my fourth season with the Dash. There have been a lot of changes and developments over the years that have made this club one of the best places to play,” said Prince. “I’m honored to be a part of it another year and to get to work towards a playoff spot with this team.”
The Dash will open their 2020 season on Saturday, April 25 when they host the defending NWSL Champion North Carolina Courage at BBVA Stadium. The remainder of the Dash schedule is expected to be announced later this month, and tickets for the 2020 season will go on sale Tuesday, March 17.
