The Houston Dash acquired defenders Satara Murray and Ari Romero through the NWSL Discovery Process, the club announced today.
“We’re very excited to be adding Satara. She will bring vast experience from four years of playing for Liverpool,” said head coach James Clarkson. “I would like to thank Liverpool for working with us to make this possible. She is from Austin, so it's also great to be adding a Texan to the squad.”
Murray joins Houston after four seasons with Liverpool FC Women in England’s FA Women’s Super League. The defender appeared in 68 matches for Liverpool since joining the club in January 2015. Murray is a Texas native that won the 2012 NCAA Women’s College Cup with the University of North Carolina along with new Dash teammates Amber Brooks and Kealia Ohai.
Romero joins the Dash from Valur Reykjavík in Iceland’s Úrvalsdeild kvenna, where she tallied an assists in 17 appearances for the club. The former seventh overall pick in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft returns to Houston after playing soccer in Australia, Norway and Iceland.
“It’s fantastic to have Ari return to the club. She’s a current Mexican National Team player and has great European experience,” Clarkson said. “Ari will add much needed depth to our defense and be available all season.”
The 26-year-old made 17 NWSL appearances for the Dash in 2014, starting in 15 games. The defender also brings international experience after representing Mexico at the international level. Romero has scored a goal and tallied five assists in 39 appearances for El Tri.
Murray and Romero will report to training camp later today as the Dash open training camp at 10 a.m. at Houston Sports Park. This will be Romero’s second preseason camp with the team after joining the club for its inaugural season.
