The Houston Dash signed midfielder Bárbara Olivieri to a one-year contract through the 2023 season with an option for the 2024 season, the team announced today.
“Bárbara is an exciting young player who brings creativity on the ball as an attacking midfielder and a range to score goals from all over the pitch,” Dash general manager, Alex Singer said. “She can break lines, find space to create and combine with teammates, or create chances for herself. We’re thrilled to bring her back to her hometown and see her development with the club.”
Oliveri joins Houston after one year in Mexico's LigaMX Femenil with Monterrey CF. While with Rayadas, Oliveri made 19 appearances, scoring three goals during the 2022 LigaMX Femenil Apertura season. After arriving in Feb. 2022, the midfielder made nine appearances and scored one goal in the 2022 Clausura season.
The Katy, Texas native played collegiately at Texas A&M University where she quickly earned several accolades. She was named the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020 and was an All-SEC First Team selection in her first year with the program. Oliveri made 26 starts in 26 appearances, scoring 13 goals in two seasons with the Aggies. After her sophomore season in College Station, Oliveri announced she would forego the rest of her eligibility to turn professional.
The Venezuelan American made her debut for the Venezuela Women’s National Team in December 2021, scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in her first career international appearance. Before her senior team debut, Oliveri represented Venezuela in the 2022 South America U-20 Women’s Football Championship and the 2018 South American U-17 Women’s Football Championship.
Prior to joining Texas A&M, Oliveri played prep soccer at Tompkins High School where she was a three-year varsity athlete, led the Falcons to two state championship final appearances and a 64-9-6 overall career record. Oliveri starred in the youth ranks playing for Albion Hurricanes FC from 2013-2019. With the Hurricanes, Oliveri earned several youth accolades including ECNL Texas Conference Player of the Year and an ECNL All-America selection from 2017-2018.
