2021 Houston Dash season
Houston Dash 2021 soccer season
The 2021 Houston Dash season was the team's eighth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).
The 2021 NWSL season returned as a full league season after COVID-19 caused the 2020 NWSL season to be limited to the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup and Fall Series . The NWSL continued to showcase the Challenge Cup in 2021, prior to a full league season starting in late April.[ 1] [ 2]
Background
The Dash retained their 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup -winning coach and general manager, James Clarkson , and much of their roster from the previous season.[ 3]
In June 2021, real-estate developer Ted Segal reportedly paid $400 million to purchase majority ownership of the Houston Dynamo and Dash, and the leasing rights to BBVA Stadium , from Gabriel Brener , who retained a minority stake.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
Six of the Dash's regular starters participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics , held in July and August. Three Canadian national team members of the Dash returned from the competition as gold medalists: Allysha Chapman , Nichelle Prince , and Sophie Schmidt .[ 3]
During the 2021 season, current and former players across the league leveled numerous allegations of abuse and misconduct among several teams' coaches and managers. The resulting investigations led to several coaches and managers being fired or asked to resign. Along with other coaching turnover during the 2021 season, Clarkson was the only male coach who started the season to retain his job at the end of it,[ 3] 2022 Houston Dash season pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.[ 7]
Stadium
The Dash continued to play in BBVA Stadium in 2022. In June 2021, the stadium was rebranded as PNC Stadium following PNC Financial Services ' acquisition of BBVA USA .[ 8] [ 9]
Player and staff
Roster
As of November 5, 2021[update] [ 10] [ 11]
No.
Name
Nationality
Position(s)
Date of birth (age)
Signed in
Previous club
Apps
Goals
Goalkeepers
1
Jane Campbell GK (1995-02-17 ) February 17, 1995 (age 29) 2017
Stanford Cardinals 18
0
20
Lindsey Harris GK (1993-11-19 ) November 19, 1993 (age 31) 2020
Klepp 5
0
33
Amanda Dennis GK (1998-05-25 ) May 25, 1998 (age 26) 2020
Penn State Nittany Lions 1
0
Defenders
2
Allysha Chapman DF (1989-01-25 ) January 25, 1989 (age 35) 2018
North Carolina Courage 16
0
11
Megan Oyster DF (1992-09-03 ) September 3, 1992 (age 32) 2020
Reign FC 21
0
21
Deneisha Blackwood DF (1997-03-07 ) March 7, 1997 (age 27) 2021
Orlando Pride 1
0
23
Abby Dahlkemper [ 12] DF (1993-05-04 ) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2021
North Carolina Courage 8
0
25
Katie Naughton DF (1994-02-15 ) February 15, 1994 (age 30) 2020
Perth Glory 24
3
27
Annika Schmidt DF (1993-05-04 ) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2021
Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 0
0
Midfielders
5
Gabby Seiler MF (1994-09-14 ) September 14, 1994 (age 30) 2021
Portland Thorns FC 24
2
6
Shea Groom MF (1993-05-04 ) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2020
Reign FC 24
3
9
Haley Hanson MF (1996-02-22 ) February 22, 1996 (age 28) 2018
Nebraska Cornhuskers ?
?
10
Christine Nairn MF (1990-09-25 ) September 25, 1990 (age 34) 2019
Orlando Pride 5
0
13
Sophie Schmidt MF (1998-06-28 ) June 28, 1998 (age 26) 2019
FFC Frankfurt 18
0
14
Brianna Visalli MF (1995-04-17 ) April 17, 1995 (age 29) 2020
Birmingham City 16
2
18
Emily Ogle MF (1996-08-05 ) August 5, 1996 (age 28) 2021
Portland Thorns FC 8
0
19
Kristie Mewis MF (1991-02-25 ) February 25, 1991 (age 33) 2017
Chicago Red Stars 16
3
29
Andrea Hauksdóttir MF (1996-01-28 ) January 28, 1996 (age 28) 2021
Breiðablik 1
0
33
Makamae Gomera-Stevens MF (1999-03-17 ) March 17, 1999 (age 25) 2021
Washington State Cougars 13
0
36
Amber Marshall MF (1999-01-24 ) January 24, 1999 (age 25) 2021
Utah Royals FC Reserves0
0
Forwards
3
Rachel Daly FW (1991-12-04 ) December 4, 1991 (age 32) 2016
15
9
4
Maegan Rosa FW (1992-02-19 ) February 19, 1992 (age 32) 2020
Florentina 4
0
8
Nichelle Prince FW (1995-02-15 ) February 15, 1995 (age 29) 2017
Ohio State Buckeyes 16
2
12
Veronica Latsko FW (1995-12-12 ) December 12, 1995 (age 28) 2018
Virginia Cavaliers 22
3
16
Hannah Diaz FW (1996-02-17 ) February 17, 1996 (age 28) 2021
FC Fleury 91 2
0
22
Jasmyne Spencer FW (1990-08-27 ) August 27, 1990 (age 34) 2021
OL Reign 18
1
24
Jamia Fields FW (1993-09-24 ) September 24, 1993 (age 31) 2019
Avaldsnes IL 8
0
34
Michaela Abam FW (1997-06-12 ) June 12, 1997 (age 27) 2021
Real Betis 7
1
35
Michelle Alozie FW (1997-04-28 ) April 28, 1997 (age 27) 2021
Tennessee Lady Volunteers 4
0
Staff
As of June 22, 2021. [ 13]
Competitions
NWSL Challenge Cup
The Dash returned to defend their title after winning the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup .[ 14] OL Reign and eventual champions Portland Thorns FC in the West Division.[ 15]
Divisional standings
The Dash rose as high as third in the NWSL table during the season, and with three matches remaining required only one point to clinch a first-ever league playoffs berth. However, the Dash lost all three matches, going scoreless in each, and missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.[ 3]
Results
Standings
International Champions Cup
By virtue of being the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup champions, the Women's International Champions Cup invited the Dash to the 2021 friendly exhibition tournament, staged on 18–21 August 2021 in Portland, Oregon . The Dash were joined by 2020 NWSL Fall Series winners Portland Thorns FC , 2019-20 UEFA Women's Champions League and 2019–20 Division 1 Féminine winners Olympique Lyon , and 2019–20 Primera División Femenina winners FC Barcelona Femení .[ 26] penalty shootout .[ 27] [ 28]
Results
Bracket
References
^ "NWSL Announces Innovative 2021 Competition Framework" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League . November 18, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022 .^ Molinaro, John (May 13, 2021). "2021 NWSL season preview: Everything you need to know" . Sportsnet . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ a b c d Roepken, Corey (December 24, 2021). "Dash year in review: Great expectations but a disappointing finish" . Houston Chronicle . Retrieved August 3, 2021 . ^ Young, Matt (June 22, 2021). "Meet Ted Segal, the man who paid a reported $400 million for Dynamo, Dash" . chron.com . Houston Chronicle . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ Carlisle, Jeff (May 19, 2021). "Sources: Houston Dynamo, Dash near $400 million sale to Ted Segal" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ Stejskal, Sam (June 24, 2021). "Q&A: New Houston Dash, Dynamo owner Ted Segal on why he bought in and his goals for both teams" . The Athletic . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ "Houston Dash suspend head coach, general manager James Clarkson amid harassment investigation" . ESPN.com . Reuters . April 27, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "PNC Completes Acquisition of BBVA USA" (Press release). PNC Financial Services . Retrieved October 2, 2021 .^ Mathews, Chris (December 21, 2021). "PNC eyes more growth in Houston in 2022 following conversion of BBVA USA" . Houston Business Journal. Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ "Club – Players" . Houston Dynamo . Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Statistics" . National Women's Soccer League . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ Hruby, Emma (September 2, 2021). "Abby Dahlkemper makes first Houston Dash start" . Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ "Team Staff" . Houston Dynamo. Retrieved June 22, 2021 .^ Herrera, Sandra (July 20, 2020). "Houston Dash win 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup over Chicago Red Stars for franchise's first trophy" . CBS Sports . Retrieved April 3, 2022 . ^ Coffman, Lauren (May 15, 2021). "Three Things We've Learnt from Houston Dash Challenge Cup Run" . Her Football Hub. Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ "OL Reign vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - April 16, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Kansas City Current vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - April 26, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - May 15, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ Liss-Roy, Anna; Haynes, Darren (May 24, 2021). "Fans upset after Washington Spirit moves home opener to Houston" . WUSA 9 . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ "Houston vs. Chicago Red Stars - Football Match Summary - May 29, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Houston vs. Orlando Pride - Football Match Summary - June 26, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - July 11, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Houston vs. Portland Thorns FC - Football Match Summary - July 24, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Houston vs. OL Reign - Football Match Summary - September 1, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ "Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash - Football Match Summary - September 5, 2021" . ESPN . Retrieved August 3, 2022 .^ Roepken, Corey (August 17, 2021). "Dash get ready to take on the world's best" . Houston Chronicle . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ Brown, Tim (August 18, 2022). "Thorns win penalty kick shootout over Houston Dash in Women's International Champions Cup play: Video highlights, live updates recap" . The Oregonian . Retrieved August 3, 2022 . ^ Lloyd-Hughes, Theo (August 21, 2021). "Houston Dash put up a fight but fall 3-2 to Barcelona in third place match at WICC" . The Striker. Retrieved August 3, 2022 .
External links
See also
The Club Stadium Rivalries Affiliated clubs Key personnel
Current teams Future team Former teams Seasons Competition Personnel Awards Related articles
National teams
League competitions
Cup competitions Youth competitions
