With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2023 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup wrapping up this month. The Houston Dash shifts focus to securing a berth in the 2023 NWSL Playoffs with seven games remaining in league play. The Dash are preparing to host the Washington Spirit for the first regular season game since July 7.
The majority of Houston’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup players have returned to the Space City. As a result, National Team Replacement Players Hope Breslin and Susanna Friedrichs have been released.
The Dash return to league play in ninth place with a 4-5-6 overall record. Houston is only three points behind San Diego Wave FC who currently claim the final playoff spot. Before regular season play was halted. Houston was unbeaten in three of the last five matches with draws against Angel City, OL Reign and Gotham FC.
Washington enters Saturday’s match in fifth place with a 6-3-6 overall record. The Spirit played San Diego to a 2-2 draw in the final game before the pause for the World Cup. The tie helped Washington avoid a three-game losing streak after falling to Orlando and Portland.
Houston has not lost in their last six home matches against the Spirit (W3 D3), though all three meetings in the Space City since 2019 have ended in draws. This equals Houston's longest regular-season home unbeaten run against any opponent in Dash history. Houston holds a similar record against the Orlando Pride of six games which began in 2018.
The Dash will be back at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, August 26 to host the Kansas City Current for the penultimate home game of the regular season. Houston will celebrate Inspiring Women’s Night where players and staff will honor women who have impacted their lives. For more information, visit HoustonDash.com.
