The 2024 Houston Dash season was the team's eleventh season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League.
Season
Pre-season Immediately following the 2023 Houston Dash season, Houston Dash started their preparation for the 2024 NWSL Season. On November 20, 2023, the Dash announced their roster decisions headed into the 2024 season. Houston exercised contract options on Emily Alvarado, Madelyn Desiano, Jyllissa Harris, Sophie Hirst, Savannah Madden, Bárbara Olivieri, Sarah Puntigam, Cameron Tucker and Paulina Gramaglia, who will stay on loan for the 2024 season. The club will also exercise the option for Allysha Chapman, who is on maternity leave at the time of the announcement. Lindsi Jennings' option was not picked up. Joelle Anderson is out of contract. New contracts were not offered to Ella Dederick, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, and Devon Kerr and they leave the club as restricted free-agents. Caprice Dydasco, Shea Groom, Emily Curran, María Sánchez, and Marisa Viggiano are also released as free agents. On December 12, 2023, the Dash traded Joelle Anderson to Bay FC for $25,000 and protection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft. The Dash also traded Cameron Tucker to Utah Royals FC for $50,000 and protection in the 2024 NWSL Expansion Draft. On December 18, 2023, the Dash traded $50,000 to the Utah Royals FC for Sierra Enge, before trading her to San Diego Wave FC in exchange for Belle Briede, the natural third round draft pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, and $60,000. The following day, the Dash continued their offseason moves by resigning María Sánchez to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth for a record breaking 1.5 million dollars.
On January 12, 2023, the Dash announced the signing of free agent Yūki Nagasato, a veteran forward who spent the last season with the Chicago Red Stars. Later that day, the Dash drafted five players in the 2024 NWSL Draft. In the second round the team drafted forward Avery Patterson from North Carolina and midfielder Kiki Van Zanten from Notre Dame. In the third round the team drafted forward Amanda West from Pittsburgh and goalkeeper Heather Hinz from South Carolina. In the fourth round the team drafted defender Alyssa Bourgeois from Santa Clara. On January 17, 2024, Houston Dash announced they had made a trade to acquire forward Cece Kizer from the Kansas City Current in addition to a 2024 international roster spot in exchange for Nichelle Prince. On February 23, 2024, the Dash announced they had agreed to a contract extension through the 2025 season. On February 27, 2024, the Dash announced they had added three Under-18 signings. Goalkeeper Olivia Geller, a high school senior signed with Texas Christian University and forwards Ayva Jordan, a U.S. Youth international, and Zoe Miles, a Houston native. In addition, the team signed goalkeeper Alia Skinner, who spent last season with Virginia Tech. Along with the signings, the Dash came to terms with Ally Prisock to terminate her final year with the team. On March 13, Houston announced the signing Swedish international Elin Rubensson from BK Häcken.
March/April Houston started the season on the road suffering a 5–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage. Houston's first home game of the season saw a record breaking crowd of 8,600 fans and ended in a 0–0 draw against Racing Louisville on the back of Jane Campbell's career high 10 saves. In their next game, the Dash picked up their first win af the season against Bay FC in a 3–2 road win against the expansion team. On April 3, Houston announced they had signed Swiss international forward Ramona Bachmann form Paris Saint–Germain for an undisclosed amount. On April 12, Houston fell 3–1 to the Washington Spirit after a pre-game celebration to commemorate their 10th anniversary. On the trade deadline day, Houton made multiple changes to their squad. In the biggest move, Houston traded María Sánchez to San Diego Wave FC for $300,000 in Intra-League fund, $200,000 in Allocation Money, and international slots for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In addition to Sánchez, Houston traded Emily Alvarado to Portland Thorns FC for $35,000 in Allocation Money and a potential $50,000 more based on certain metrics achieved. Houston also added Paige Nielsen to their team, bringing veteran leadership to their back line. After the flurry of moves, Houston faced Portland Thorns, losing on the road 4–1. On April 23, the Dash signed another Defender, getting Tarciane from Corinthians. Houston ended the month of April with a 0–0 draw against Utah Royals.
May/June The Dash started the month of May with a 1–1 draw against the Kansas City Current on a goal by Amanda West, after a 4-hour weather delay. In a midweek game on 8 May, Houston dropped three points to NJ/NY Gotham FC on a 8th minute goal by Lynn Williams. On May 12, Houston went on the road to California to capture a 1–0 win against Angel City FC on a goal by the Angel City player Paige Nielsen. In a shortened turn around, Houston returned home to play the Portland Thorns FC on May 17, losing 2–0. In their sixth home match of the season, Houston earned their first home win, in a impressive 3–0 over North Carolina Courage. Coming out of the international break, Houston faced RAcing Louisville, falling 2–0 on the road. Houston returned home to face Angel City and earned a 0–0 draw in a hard fought game, that ended with Jane Campbell making a double save on the goal line that concern about lack of goal line technology in the NWSL. On 20 June, Houston announced Jane Campbell (soccer) had signed a contract extension through the 2027 season, with an option for the 2028 season. Earning their sixth clean sheet of the season, Houston played San Diego Wave to a 0–0 draw. Houston closed out the month by losing 2–0 on the road to the Kansas City Current.
July/August Houston started the month of July by closing out a two-game road trip with a loss to the Red Stars 1–0. Returning to NWSL play, Houston hosted the Orlando Pride, who come in on a 17-game unbeaten streak. Houston failed to end that streak, falling 0–1 against the Pride. Houston closed out the month of August, falling 1–3 to the Utah Royals, and dropping to the bottom of the table.
Summer Cup Houston started the 2024 NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup with a road loss against Kansas City Currant, 3–1. Returning home to play two games against Mexican sides, Houston captured a 2–1 win over Tigres UANL on goals from Sarah Puntigam and Babera Olivieri. Securing their second win of the Summer Cup, Houston earned a 2–0 win against C.F. Pachuca on goals from Andressa and Diana Ordóñez.
September/October Houston fell 2–1 o NJ/NY Gotham on he road, giving up a late goal. Diana Ordóñez scoring Houston's only goal in he 17th minute. In their next game, Houston lost 3–0 in a dominating performance by the Washington Spirit. Houston earned a 1–0 victory a home against he Seattle Reign on a 50th minute goal by Yuki Nagasato. Houston went on the road to Orlando falling 3–1 to the Pride. The loan goal for Houston was scored by Nagasato. On October 1, 2024, Houston announced that they had reached an agreement with head coach Fran Alonso to part ways. The team also announced that Rickey Clarke would serve as interim coach as the new General Manager works to hire a new coach. Facing Chicago at home, Houston fell 0–2, officially becoming eliminated from post season changes. Houston went on the road and earned a 2–0 win against San Diego Wave. Houston split the series on the road with a 2–1 loss to the Seattle Reign. Houston fell 2–3 to playoff bound Bay FC in the final game of the season. Houston had goals by Olivieri and Patterson, but Bay FC put three in the back of the net on a brace by Racheal Kundananji.
Roster
. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Goals Goalkeepers 1 Jane Campbell GK 2017 Stanford Cardinal 25 0 18 Heather Hinz GK 2024 Virginia Tech Hokies 4 0 23 Savannah Madden GK 2023 Texas Longhorns 0 0 40 Erin McKinney GK 2024 Wisconsin 1 0 99 Emily Alvarado GK 2023 Stade de Reims Féminines 0 0 Olivia Geller GK 2024 Southlake Carroll High School 0 0 Alia Skinner GK 2024 Virginia Tech Hokies 0 0 Defenders 2 Allysha Chapman DF 2018 North Carolina Courage 10 0 3 Tarciane DF 2024 Corinthians 12 0 4 Natalie Jacobs DF 2022 Real Betis Féminas 19 1 7 Paige Nielsen DF 2024 Angel City FC 23 1 22 Croix Soto DF 2024 Kansas City Current 3 0 25 Katie Lind DF 2020 Perth Glory 0 0 33 Jyllissa Harris DF 2023 South Carolina Gamecocks 14 0 50 Gabriela Guillén DF 2024 Dallas Trinity FC 0 0 Madelyn Desiano DF 2023 UCLA Bruins 0 0 Courtney Petersen DF 2023 Orlando Pride 18 0 Midfielders 6 Havana Solaun MF 2023 North Carolina Courage 6 1 10 Andressa MF 2023 Roma 25 2 12 Kiki Van Zanten MF 2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4 0 13 Sophie Schmidt MF 2019 FFC Frankfurt 26 0 15 Bárbara Olivieri MF 2023 Monterrey 26 5 17 Sarah Puntigam MF 2023 FC Köln 23 0 19 Belle Briede MF 2024 San Diego Wave FC 19 0 20 Sophie Hirst MF 2023 Harvard Crimson 9 0 26 Madison Ayson MF 2024 Xavier 3 0 31 Elin Rubensson MF 2024 BK Häcken 15 0 51 Gracie Brian MF 2024 Dallas Trinity FC 0 0 Forwards 5 Cece Kizer FW 2024 Kansas City Current 7 0 9 Diana Ordóñez FW 2023 North Carolina Courage 26 7 11 Michelle Alozie FW 2021 Tennessee Volunteers 24 0 14 Yūki Nagasato FW 2024 Chicago Red Stars 26 3 16 Amanda West FW 2024 Pittsburgh Panthers 18 1 21 Ryan Gareis FW 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks 7 0 27 Zoe Matthews FW 2024 Solar SC 2 0 28 Ramona Bachmann FW 2024 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (women) 12 2 29 Madison Wolfbauer FW 2024 Keflavík ÍF 1 0 30 Avery Patterson FW 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels 29 1 María Sánchez FW 2021 UANL 4 0 Ayva Jordan FW 2024 Slammers FC HB Koge (ECNL) 0 0
Transactions
2024 NWSL Draft
Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2024 NWSL Draft will be held on January 12, 2024.
Round Pick Player College Status Ref. 1 5 N/A 2 5 (19) Avery Patterson FW North Carolina Signed three-year deal through 2026 2 7 (21) Kiki Van Zanten MF Notre Dame 3 5 (33) N/A 3 8 (36) Amanda West FW Pittsburgh Signed one-year agreement with one year option 3 10 (38) Heather Hinz GK South Carolina 3 12 (40) N/A 4 5 (47) Alyssa Bourgeois DF Santa Clara Notes
Transfers in Date Player Previous club Fee/notes December 17, 2023 Sierra Enge MF Bay FC $50,000 Belle Briede MF San Diego Wave FC Traded with San Diego Wave FC for Sierra Enge December 18, 2023 María Sánchez FW Houston Dash Free agent January 12, 2024 Yūki Nagasato FW Chicago Red Stars Free agent January 17, 2024 Cece Kizer FW Kansas City Current Trade for Nichelle Prince February 27, 2024 Olivia Geller GK Southlake Carroll High School Under-18 Entry Mechanism Ayva Jordan FW Slammers FC HB Koge (ECNL) Under-18 Entry Mechanism Zoe Miles FW Solar SC Under-18 Entry Mechanism Alia Skinner GK Virginia Tech March 13, 2024 Elin Rubensson MF BK Häcken Croix Soto DF Kansas City Current April 2, 2024 Ramona Bachmann FW Paris Saint-Germain Undisclosed April 20, 2024 Paige Nielsen DF Angel City FC $50,000 in Allocation Money$50,000 in Intra-League Transfer Funds April 23, 2024 Tarciane DF Corinthians Undisclosed June 6, 2024 Erin McKinney GK Wisconsin Undisclosed July 19, 2024 Madison Wolfbauer FW Keflavík ÍF National Team Replacement Contract
Loan in
No.Pos.PlayerLoaned fromStartEndSource 50 DF Gabriela Guillén Dallas Trinity FC September 21, 2024 51 MF Gracie Brian Dallas Trinity FC September 21, 2024
Transfers out