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
. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Goals Goalkeepers 1 Jane Campbell GK 2017 Stanford Cardinal 24 0 20 Devon KerrEA GK 2023 Washington Spirit 0 0 33 Ella DederickSEI GK 2021 OL Reign 0 0 35 Savannah Madden GK 2023 Texas Longhorns 0 0 99 Emily Alvarado GK 2023 Stade de Reims Féminines 2 0 Defenders 2 Allysha Chapman DF 2018 North Carolina Courage 13 0 3 Caprice Dydasco DF 2022 NJ/NY Gotham FC 24 0 4 Natalie Jacobs DF 2022 Real Betis Féminas 21 0 5 Courtney Petersen DF 2023 Orlando Pride 16 0 23 Ally Prisock DF 2021 USC Trojans 11 1 25 Katie Lind DF 2020 Perth Glory 19 0 31 Madelyn Desiano DF 2023 UCLA Bruins 6 1 36 Lindsi Jennings DF age (23) 2023 LSU Tigers 4 0 37 Jyllissa Harris DF 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks 6 0 Midfielders 6 Havana Solaun MF 2023 North Carolina Courage 10 0 10 Shea GroomSEI MF 2020 Reign FC 1 0 13 Sophie Schmidt MF 2019 FFC Frankfurt 20 0 14 Marisa Viggiano MF 2022 Orlando Pride 22 0 15 Bárbara Olivieri MF 2023 Monterrey 9 1 17 Sarah Puntigam MF 2023 FC Köln 7 0 18 Emily CurranSEI MF 2021 Portland Thorns FC 0 0 26 Makamae Gomera-StevensSEI MF 2021 Washington State Cougars 0 0 30 Sophie Hirst MF 2023 Harvard Crimson 11 1 55 Hope Breslin MF 2023 Angel City FC 1 0 77 Andressa MF 2023 Roma 5 1 Kelcie Hedge MF 2021 OL Reign 1 0 Forwards 7 María Sánchez FW 2021 UANL 24 5 8 Nichelle Prince FW 2017 Ohio State Buckeyes 7 0 9 Ebony Salmon FW 2022 Racing Louisville FC 20 1 11 Diana Ordóñez FW 2023 North Carolina Courage 23 3 21 Ryan Gareis FW 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks 12 1 22 Michelle Alozie FW 2021 Tennessee Volunteers 18 4 29 Joelle Anderson FW 2022 Pepperdine Waves 17 1 39 Cameron Tucker FW 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 College Status Ref. 2 8 (20) Sophie Hirst MF Harvard Signed with team 2 10 (22) Jyllissa 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
Transfers in Date Player 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 MF Roma Free agent signed through 2024 with an option for an additional year. July 21, 2023 DF UMF Selfoss National Team Replacement Player July 26, 2023 MF FC Köln Free agent signed through 2023 with an option for an additional year.
Transfers out Date Player 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.PlayerLoaned toStartEndSource 24 FW Paulina Gramaglia Red Bull Bragantino February 10, 2023 December 31, 2023
Staff
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 coachVideo analyst Hiro Suzuki Assistant general manager Carlos Martinez-Gloria Equipment manager Paloma Paez Head athletic trainer Frances Gilbert-Carlson High performance coach Corey Ashe
Non-competitive fixtures
Competitions
2023 National Women's Soccer League season
Regular-season standings
Results summary
Results by matchday
Season results
2023 NWSL Challenge Cup
Divisional standings
Group stage
Awards and honors