# 2023 Houston Dash season

The 2023 Houston Dash season was the team's tenth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League.

## Season
### Pre-season

Immediately following the 2022 Houston Dash season, Houston Dash started their preparation for the 2023 NWSL Season. On November 15, 2022, the team announced that it was 14 players as worked to build their 2023 roster. The declined Valérie Gauvin's option, released Elizabeth Eddy, Cali Farquharson to free agency, and Michelle Alozie, Michaela Abam, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, Kelcie Hedge, Emily Ogle, Ally Prisock, Annika Schmidt, Natalie Jacobs, Lindsey Harris, Tiernny Wiltshire, and Brianna Visalli were all out of contract. On the same day the team announced it was purchasing Paulina Gramaglia option, after her loan. On December 8, 2022, the Dash announced that they had resigned Michelle Alozie to a new contract, adding depth to attack. December 14, 2022, the team continued to build its attacking capabilities by signing Natalie Jacobs to a new contract. Houston started working on rebuilding their defensive presence on December 19, 2022, by resigning Ally Prisock to the team. On December 21, 2022, the Houston Dash announced they had chosen the fourth coach in team history, hiring Sam Laity after his term as interim coach with the OL Reign.> Houston continued to work on their defensive depth for 2023 by re-signing Annika Creel (formerly Schmidt) on January 5, 2023. Continuing to shape their 2023 roster, Houston signed Devon Kerr on January 6, 2023. Kerr is a Goalkeeper who started with the Dash in their 2019 season, and has spent the last three seasons with the Washington Spirit. Houston continued to re-sign players on January 9, 2023, when they added Emily Curran (formerly Ogle) to the midfield. On January 11, 2023, the Dash announced the signing of Jamaican international midfielder Havana Solaun. Just prior to the 2023 NWSL draft, Houston announced they had traded for Diana Ordóñez and the 2023 NWSL draft 30th pick from the North Carolina Courage for their 2023 and 2024 first round pick, 2023 international slot and $100,000 in allocation money. On February 1, 2023, the Dash announced they had acquired the rights for Courtney Petersen from the Orlando Pride in addition to the Pride's natural third round pick in the 2024 NWSL draft.

### Challenge Cup

The 2023 version of the NWSL Challenge Cup will be held interspersed throughout the season, rather than being before the start of the season. The first Challenge Cup round for Houston was held on April 19, 2023, a midweek match against the Kansas City Current, which ended in a 2–0 defeat. Houston topped the Chicago Red Stars 2–0 in the second round of the Challenge Cup, with goals from Bárbara Olivieri and Diana Ordóñez. In their third round of the Challenge Cup, the Dash went on the road and lost 3–0 to Racing Louisville FC.

### March/April

Starting their season at home, the Houston Dash earned a draw against Racing Louisville FC in the first game of the season. In their second game of the season, the Dash picked up the first win of the season, winning 2–1 against the Chicago Red Stars. The Dash managed to stay undefeated through the third game of the season by earning a draw against the league leading Portland Thorns FC. María Sánchez earned a first half equalizer, allowing the Dash to fight for a point in the game. April ended in the worst way possible, with a 1–0 loss to the North Carolina Courage due to a, weather induced, game abandonment in the 52nd minute of play.

### May/June

The Dash started May off on the road at OL Reign, losing their second game of the season 2–0 to the league leaders. Houston bounced back in their second NWSL match of the month defeating the Portland Thorns FC 2–1 at home on goals from Ebony Salmon and Joelle Anderson. On May 20, 2023, Houston suffered their worse loss of the season to date by falling to San Diego Wave FC 3–0. In their next match, the Dash went on the road and secured a 2–0 win against the Kansas City Current and Jane Campbell (soccer) went over the 10,000 minute mark in the NWSL. As June started Houston kept up their winning ways by defeating the Orlando Pride 2–0 at home, with Hirst and Alozie both scoring their first goals of the season. On June 11 Houston drew with NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–1 at home, earning a point, but falling to 7th half way through the season.

### July/August

To start the month of July, the Dash faced North Carolina Courage earning loss on the road 1–0 in North Carolina, after weather delayed start. On July 7, 2023, the Dash returned home to face the Chicago Red Stars, again suffering a 1–0 loss and extending their winless streak to five games. The Dash had 7 players selected to their national teams for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup that started on July 20, 2023, and goes until August 20, 2023. After a two-week break, Houston returned to the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup against Kansas City Current, losing 3–1 and extending their losing streak to three games and winless streak to six games in all competitions. On July 26, 2023, Houston signed Sarah Puntigam to the squad for the rest of the 2023 season. The Dash managed a 1–0 win against Racing Louisville FC in the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup on a goal by Ebony Salmon. The Dash closed out their Challenge Cup competition with a 3–0 loss to the Chicago Red Stars. In their first game back for the international break, Houston grabbed a late point on a stoppage time goal by Sanchez, drawing with the Washington Spirit 1–1. On August 26, the Dash earned another point at home against Chicago Red Star on a 1–1 draw on a goal from Michelle Alozie.

### September

The Dash started September by falling to the San Diego Wave 1–0 after falling to 10 players on a Michelle Alozie was given a red card for DOGSO in the 33rd minute. On September 6, the Dash fired Laity. Two days later the team announced that Sarah Lowdon will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 season. On the same day the Dash announced they had completed the transfer of Ebony Salmon to Aston Villa W.F.C. for an undisclosed amount. Returning to play after the release of Laity, Houston secured three points beating Racing Louisville FC 1-0, keeping their slim chance at a play-off position alive. The Dash continued to push for a play-off spot by earning their eight clean sheet of the season in a 2–0 defeat of NJ/NY Gotham FC on two goals by Michelle Alozie. In front of the largest home crowd of the season Houston fell late to Angel City FC 2–1. The Dash finished the season with a 1–0 loss to the Orlando Pride, ending the season 6–8–8.

## Roster

As of October 15, 2023.
| No. | Name | 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 Cardinal | 24 | 0 |
| 20 | Devon Kerr$^{EA}$ | GK | (1997-07-03) July 3, 1997 (age 27) | 2023 | Washington Spirit | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Ella Dederick$^{SEI}$ | GK | (1996-07-27) July 27, 1996 (age 28) | 2021 | OL Reign | 0 | 0 |
| 35 | Savannah Madden | GK | (1999-02-02) February 2, 1999 (age 25) | 2023 | Texas Longhorns | 0 | 0 |
| 99 | Emily Alvarado | GK | (1998-06-09) June 9, 1998 (age 26) | 2023 | Stade de Reims Féminines | 2 | 0 |
| Defenders |||||||||
| 2 | Allysha Chapman | DF | (1989-01-25) January 25, 1989 (age 35) | 2018 | North Carolina Courage | 13 | 0 |
| 3 | Caprice Dydasco | DF | (1993-08-19) August 19, 1993 (age 31) | 2022 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 24 | 0 |
| 4 | Natalie Jacobs | DF | (1997-08-16) August 16, 1997 (age 27) | 2022 | Real Betis Féminas | 21 | 0 |
| 5 | Courtney Petersen | DF | (1997-10-28) October 28, 1997 (age 26) | 2023 | Orlando Pride | 16 | 0 |
| 23 | Ally Prisock | DF | (1997-01-18) January 18, 1997 (age 27) | 2021 | USC Trojans | 11 | 1 |
| 25 | Katie Lind | DF | (1994-02-15) February 15, 1994 (age 30) | 2020 | Perth Glory | 19 | 0 |
| 31 | Madelyn Desiano | DF | (2000-02-18) February 18, 2000 (age 24) | 2023 | UCLA Bruins | 6 | 1 |
| 36 | Lindsi Jennings | DF | age (23) | 2023 | LSU Tigers | 4 | 0 |
| 37 | Jyllissa Harris | DF | (2000-04-08) April 8, 2000 (age 24) | 2023 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 6 | 0 |
| Midfielders |||||||||
| 6 | Havana Solaun | MF | (1993-02-23) February 23, 1993 (age 31) | 2023 | North Carolina Courage | 10 | 0 |
| 10 | Shea Groom$^{SEI}$ | MF | (1993-05-04) May 4, 1993 (age 31) | 2020 | Reign FC | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | Sophie Schmidt | MF | (1998-06-28) June 28, 1998 (age 26) | 2019 | FFC Frankfurt | 20 | 0 |
| 14 | Marisa Viggiano | MF | (1997-02-05) February 5, 1997 (age 27) | 2022 | Orlando Pride | 22 | 0 |
| 15 | Bárbara Olivieri | MF | (2002-02-24) February 24, 2002 (age 22) | 2023 | Monterrey | 9 | 1 |
| 17 | Sarah Puntigam | MF | (1992-10-13) October 13, 1992 (age 32) | 2023 | FC Köln | 7 | 0 |
| 18 | Emily Curran$^{SEI}$ | MF | (1996-08-05) August 5, 1996 (age 28) | 2021 | Portland Thorns FC | 0 | 0 |
| 26 | Makamae Gomera-Stevens$^{SEI}$ | MF | (1999-03-17) March 17, 1999 (age 25) | 2021 | Washington State Cougars | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Sophie Hirst | MF | (2000-02-25) February 25, 2000 (age 24) | 2023 | Harvard Crimson | 11 | 1 |
| 55 | Hope Breslin | MF | (1999-03-10) March 10, 1999 (age 25) | 2023 | Angel City FC | 1 | 0 |
| 77 | Andressa | MF | (1992-11-10) November 10, 1992 (age 31) | 2023 | Roma | 5 | 1 |
| | Kelcie Hedge | MF | (1997-09-19) September 19, 1997 (age 27) | 2021 | OL Reign | 1 | 0 |
| Forwards |||||||||
| 7 | María Sánchez | FW | (1996-02-20) February 20, 1996 (age 28) | 2021 | UANL | 24 | 5 |
| 8 | Nichelle Prince | FW | (1995-02-15) February 15, 1995 (age 29) | 2017 | Ohio State Buckeyes | 7 | 0 |
| 9 | Ebony Salmon | FW | (2001-01-27) January 27, 2001 (age 23) | 2022 | Racing Louisville FC | 20 | 1 |
| 11 | Diana Ordóñez | FW | (2001-09-26) September 26, 2001 (age 23) | 2023 | North Carolina Courage | 23 | 3 |
| 21 | Ryan Gareis | FW | (1998-11-13) November 13, 1998 (age 25) | 2022 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 12 | 1 |
| 22 | Michelle Alozie | FW | (1997-04-28) April 28, 1997 (age 27) | 2021 | Tennessee Volunteers | 18 | 4 |
| 29 | Joelle Anderson | FW | (1998-10-06) October 6, 1998 (age 26) | 2022 | Pepperdine Waves | 17 | 1 |
| 39 | Cameron Tucker | FW | (1999-07-15) July 15, 1999 (age 25) | 2023 | BYU Cougars | 15 | 0 |
* EA=Excused absence
* SEI=Season ending injury

## Transactions
### 2023 NWSL Draft

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2023 NWSL Draft was held on January 12, 2023.
| Round | Pick | Player | Pos. | College | Status |
| 2 | 8 (20) | Sophie Hirst | MF | Harvard | Signed with team |
| 2 | 10 (22) | Jylissa Harris | DF | South Carolina | Signed with team |
| 3 | 6 (30) | N/A | | | |
| 3 | 8 (32) | N/A | | | |
| 3 | 12 (36) | Lindsi Jennings | DF | LSU | Signed with team |
| 4 | 12 (48) | Madelyn Desiano | DF | UCLA | Signed with team |
* ↑ OL Reign → Orlando Pride → Houston Dash. Houston Dash acquired a second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft and $75,000 in allocation money from Orlando Pride in exchange for Haley Hanson. Orlando Pride had previously acquired the natural second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, the No. 10 pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft, Celia, and Leah Pruitt from OL Reign in exchange for Phoebe McClernon.
* ↑ Houston Dash → North Carolina Courage. North Carolina Courage acquired the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, the natural first-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, a 2023 international spot, and $100,000 in allocation money from Houston Dash in exchange for Diana Ordóñez and the No. 30 pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
* ↑ OL Reign → Houston Dash. Washington Spirit acquired the No. 30 pick from the Houston Dash for $30,000 in allocation money and the No. 32 pick.
* ↑ Portland Thorns FC → Houston Dash. Portland Thorns FC acquired the No. 32 pick from the Houston Dash for $20,000 in allocation money and the No. 36 pick.
* ↑ Portland Thorns FC → Houston Dash . Houston Dash acquired the No. 48 pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft from Portland Thorns FC in exchange for the natural third-round pick of 2024 NWSL Draft and $10,000 in allocation money.

### Transfers in

| Date | Player | Pos. | Previous club | Fee/notes |
| November 15, 2022 | Paulina Gramaglia | FW | UAI Urquiza | Purchase Option from Loan |
| December 8, 2022 | Michelle Alozie | FW | Houston Dash | Free Agent |
| December 14, 2022 | Natalie Jacobs | FW | Houston Dash | Free Agent |
| December 19, 2022 | Ally Prisock | DF | Houston Dash | Free Agent |
| January 5, 2023 | Annika Creel | DF | Houston Dash | Free Agent |
| January 6, 2023 | Devon Kerr | GK | Washington Spirit | Free Agent |
| January 9, 2023 | Emily Curran | MF | Houston Dash | Free Agent |
| January 11, 2023 | Havana Solaun | MF | North Carolina Courage | Free Agent |
| January 12, 2023 | Diana Ordóñez | FW | North Carolina Courage | 2023 & 2024 first round draft pick, 2023 International Slot, $100,000 allocation money |
| February 1, 2023 | Courtney Petersen | DF | Orlando Pride | $65,000 allocation money |
| February 7, 2023 | Bárbara Olivieri | MF | Monterrey | Contract for 2023 season with an option for 2024 |
| April 7, 2023 | Emily Alvarado | GK | Reims | Contract for 2023 season with an option for 2024 |
| June 28, 2023 | Andressa | MF | Roma | Free agent signed through 2024 with an option for an additional year. |
| July 21, 2023 | Susanna Friedrichs | DF | UMF Selfoss | National Team Replacement Player |
| July 26, 2023 | Sarah Puntigam | MF | FC Köln | Free agent signed through 2023 with an option for an additional year. |

### Transfers out

| Date | Player | Pos. | Destination club | Fee/notes |
| November 15, 2022 | Valérie Gauvin | FW | FC Fleury 91 | Option Declined |
| November 15, 2022 | Elizabeth Eddy | MF | | Free Agent |
| November 15, 2022 | Cali Farquharson | MF | | Free Agent |
| November 15, 2022 | Michelle Alozie | FW | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Michaela Abam | FW | Linköping FC | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Makamae Gomera-Stevens | MF | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Kelcie Hedge | MF | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Emily Ogle | MF | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Ally Prisock | DF | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Annika Schmidt | DF | Houston Dash | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Natalie Jacobs | DF | Natalie Jacobs | Out of Contract |
| November 15, 2022 | Lindsey Harris | GK | | Out of Contract and Not Returning in 2023 |
| November 15, 2022 | Tiernny Wiltshire | MF | | Out of Contract and Not Returning in 2023 |
| November 15, 2022 | Brianna Visalli | MF | Brighton & Hove Albion | Out of Contract and Not Returning in 2023 |
| February 19, 2023 | Julia Ashley | DF | | Waived |
| June 10, 2023 | Annika Creel | DF | | Waived |
| June 16, 2023 | Kelcie Hedge | MF | | Mutual Agreement |
| September 8, 2023 | Ebony Salmon | FW | Aston Villa W.F.C. | Undisclosed |

### Loan out

| No. | Pos. | Player | Loaned to | Start | End | Source |
| 24 | FW | Paulina Gramaglia | Red Bull Bragantino | February 10, 2023 | December 31, 2023 | |

## Staff

As of 8 September 2023
| Role | Name |
| President | Jessica O'Neill |
| General manager | Alex Singer |
| Head coach | Sarah Lowdon (interim) |
| Assistant coach | Michael Balogun |
| Assistant coach | Ricky Clarke |
| Goalkeeping coach | Matt Lampson |
| Assistant coach Video analyst | Hiro Suzuki |
| Assistant general manager | Carlos Martinez-Gloria |
| Equipment manager | Paloma Paez |
| Head athletic trainer | Frances Gilbert-Carlson |
| High performance coach | Corey Ashe |

## Competitions
### 2023 National Women's Soccer League season
#### Regular-season standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 8 | Washington Spirit | 22 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 26 | 29 | −3 | 30 |
| 9 | Racing Louisville FC | 22 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 25 | 24 | +1 | 27 |
| 10 | Houston Dash | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 26 |
| 11 | Kansas City Current | 22 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 30 | 36 | −6 | 26 |
| 12 | Chicago Red Stars | 22 | 7 | 3 | 12 | 28 | 50 | −22 | 24 |

##### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: October 16, 2023. Source: NWSLsoccer.com

##### Results by matchday

| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Stadium | H | A | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | A | A | H | A |
| Result | D | W | D | D | L | L | W | L | W | W | D | D | D | L | L | D | D | L | W | W | L | L |
| Position | 6 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 |

#### Season results
### 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup
#### Divisional standings

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | T | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | KC | LOU | HOU | CHI |
| 1 | Kansas City Current | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 4 | +10 | 13 | Advance to knockout stage | — | 3–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 |
| 2 | Racing Louisville FC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 6 | +4 | 12 | Advance to knockout stage based on ranking | 3–2 | — | 3–0 | 2–0 |
| 3 | Houston Dash | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 11 | −7 | 6 | | 0–2 | 1–0 | — | 2–0 |
| 4 | Chicago Red Stars | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 4 | | 0–0 | 0–2 | 3–0 | — |

#### Group stage
## Awards and honors
### NWSL Best XI

| Team | Player | Position | Ref. |
| First Team | Jane Campbell | GK | |

### NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year

| Player | Ref. |
| Jane Campbell | |

### Best XI of the month

| Month | Player | Position | Ref. |
| September/October | Jane Campbell | GK | |
| September/October | Caprice Dydasco | DF | |