The Houston Dash and forward Rachel Daly have agreed to a new contract, the club announced.
Daly joined the Dash in 2016 after being selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft. A key member of Houston’s offense in 2019, Daly finished the NWSL season with five goals and tied for the club lead in goals scored last season. This was the third consecutive year that Daly held a share of the Golden Boot for the club. The forward scored three game-winning goals in 2019 and played a key role in Houston’s fast start to the season under first-year head coach James Clarkson.
"We are extremely happy to have Rachel back and excited to help her continue her development and success on and field,” said Head Coach James Clarkson.
The Harrogate, England native spent three months in France last summer as part of the England Women’s National Team squad during their semifinal run at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She saw action in five of England’s seven matches and started in two, including the semifinal against the United States. Daly has scored three goals and earned 29 caps with the Lionesses while splitting time as a forward and outside back. Daly joined the Lionesses as they claimed their first SheBelieves Cup last March after defeating Brazil, Japan and held the U.S. Women’s National Team to a 2-2 draw.
"The Dash is an unbelievable club and I feel like I have unfinished business here,” Daly said. “The best is yet to come and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Daly scored a career-high 10 goals in her third season with the club and finished with three NWSL Team of the Month honors in 2018. The forward was named to the NWSL Second XI at the end of the season and named the club’s Most Valuable Player.
The forward led the team in goals with five in 2017 despite playing as a defender for a portion of the season. Daly played a key role in Houston’s opening day victory over the Chicago Red Stars, when she scored an ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 quality goal at BBVA Stadium that season. The Dash veteran finished with club Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 and her first strike against Chicago was voted as the Dash Goal of the Year.
The sixth overall pick from the 2016 NWSL College Draft, Daly was named NWSL Player of the Week after scoring a world-class goal in her professional debut and adding an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars in Week 1. The University of St. John’s University product finished with four goals and three assists during her rookie season.
