Player | No. | Pos. | Ht. | HOMETOWN | NWSL Exp. | Pronunciation | DOB |
Paige Nielsen | 14 | D | 5-6 | Lincoln, Nebraska | 6 | NEEL-sin | 10/14/93 |
Nielsen was named the Defender of the Year in 2024. She joined the team prior to the trade deadline in April and helped the team earn a clean sheet in her Dash debut against the Utah Royals on April 27. The defender scored the game-winning goal in Houston’s 1-0 victory on the road over Angel City FC on May 12. This was Nielsen’s eighth campaign in the NWSL and she reached 100 regular season games against the Orlando Pride on Sept. 28.
The defender spent two seasons with Angel City, where she reached the quarterfinals of the 2023 NWSL playoffs. Nielsen is a NWSL champion, winning the title in 2021 with a come-from-behind triumph over the Chicago Red Stars. The centerback also reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.
Latest transaction: Signed a four-year contract extension through the 2028 season on Aug. 27, 2024.
Dash Debut: April 27, 2024, on the road against Utah Royals FC.