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2021 Houston Dash 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).

Houston Dash
2021 season
Head coachJames Clarkson
StadiumPNC Stadium
(rebranded from BBVA Stadium in June)
NWSL7th
NWSL PlayoffsDNQ
Challenge Cup3rd, West
Copa Tejas Shield6th
Top goalscorerLeague: Rachel Daly (9)
All: Rachel Daly (10)
Highest home attendance4,792 vs. POR
(17 October 2021)
Lowest home attendance1,929 vs. POR
(24 July 2021)
Average home league attendance3,386
Biggest win4-0 vs. LOU
(26 September 2021)
Biggest defeat5-1 vs. RGN
(7 August 2021)
← 2020
2022 →

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

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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] though he would be suspended at the start of the 2022 Houston Dash season pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.[7]

Stadium

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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

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Roster

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As of November 5, 2021.[10][11]

No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
1 Jane Campbell United States  GK (1995-02-17) February 17, 1995 (age 29) 2017 United States  Stanford Cardinals 18 0
20 Lindsey Harris United States  GK (1993-11-19) November 19, 1993 (age 30) 2020 Norway  Klepp 5 0
33 Amanda Dennis United States  GK (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998 (age 26) 2020 United States  Penn State Nittany Lions 1 0
Defenders
2 Allysha Chapman Canada  DF (1989-01-25) January 25, 1989 (age 35) 2018 United States  North Carolina Courage 16 0
11 Megan Oyster United States  DF (1992-09-03) September 3, 1992 (age 32) 2020 United States  Reign FC 21 0
21 Deneisha Blackwood Jamaica  DF (1997-03-07) March 7, 1997 (age 27) 2021 United States  Orlando Pride 1 0
23 Abby Dahlkemper[12] United States  DF (1993-05-04) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2021 United States  North Carolina Courage 8 0
25 Katie Naughton United States  DF (1994-02-15) February 15, 1994 (age 30) 2020 Australia  Perth Glory 24 3
27 Annika Schmidt United States  DF (1993-05-04) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2021 Sweden  Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC 0 0
Midfielders
5 Gabby Seiler United States  MF (1994-09-14) September 14, 1994 (age 30) 2021 United States  Portland Thorns FC 24 2
6 Shea Groom United States  MF (1993-05-04) May 4, 1993 (age 31) 2020 United States  Reign FC 24 3
9 Haley Hanson United States  MF (1996-02-22) February 22, 1996 (age 28) 2018 United States  Nebraska Cornhuskers ? ?
10 Christine Nairn United States  MF (1990-09-25) September 25, 1990 (age 33) 2019 United States  Orlando Pride 5 0
13 Sophie Schmidt Canada  MF (1998-06-28) June 28, 1998 (age 26) 2019 Germany  FFC Frankfurt 18 0
14 Brianna Visalli United States  MF (1995-04-17) April 17, 1995 (age 29) 2020 England  Birmingham City 16 2
18 Emily Ogle United States  MF (1996-08-05) August 5, 1996 (age 28) 2021 United States  Portland Thorns FC 8 0
19 Kristie Mewis United States  MF (1991-02-25) February 25, 1991 (age 33) 2017 United States  Chicago Red Stars 16 3
29 Andrea Hauksdóttir Iceland  MF (1996-01-28) January 28, 1996 (age 28) 2021 Iceland  Breiðablik 1 0
33 Makamae Gomera-Stevens United States  MF (1999-03-17) March 17, 1999 (age 25) 2021 United States  Washington State Cougars 13 0
36 Amber Marshall United States  MF (1999-01-24) January 24, 1999 (age 25) 2021 United States  Utah Royals FC Reserves 0 0
Forwards
3 Rachel Daly England  FW (1991-12-04) December 4, 1991 (age 32) 2016 United States  SoCal FC 15 9
4 Maegan Rosa Canada  FW (1992-02-19) February 19, 1992 (age 32) 2020 Italy  Florentina 4 0
8 Nichelle Prince Canada  FW (1995-02-15) February 15, 1995 (age 29) 2017 United States  Ohio State Buckeyes 16 2
12 Veronica Latsko United States  FW (1995-12-12) December 12, 1995 (age 28) 2018 United States  Virginia Cavaliers 22 3
16 Hannah Diaz United States  FW (1996-02-17) February 17, 1996 (age 28) 2021 France  FC Fleury 91 2 0
22 Jasmyne Spencer United States  FW (1990-08-27) August 27, 1990 (age 34) 2021 United States  OL Reign 18 1
24 Jamia Fields United States  FW (1993-09-24) September 24, 1993 (age 30) 2019 Norway  Avaldsnes IL 8 0
34 Michaela Abam Cameroon  FW (1997-06-12) June 12, 1997 (age 27) 2021 Spain  Real Betis 7 1
35 Michelle Alozie Nigeria  FW (1997-04-28) April 28, 1997 (age 27) 2021 United States  Tennessee Lady Volunteers 4 0

Staff

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As of June 22, 2021.[13]
Executive
Majority owner Ted Segal
Minority owners Gabriel Brener
Oscar De La Hoya
Ben Guill
James Harden
President of business operations John Walker
Coaching Staff
Head coach
General manager
England  James Clarkson
Assistant coach United States  Twila Kaufman
Goalkeeping coach United States  Brenton Saylor

Competitions

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NWSL Challenge Cup

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The Dash returned to defend their title after winning the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.[14] However, the Dash struggled to win matches and failed to advance from the group stage, claiming victory once and drawing three times to finish third behind OL Reign and eventual champions Portland Thorns FC in the West Division.[15]

April 9, 2021 (2021-04-09) Houston Dash 0–0 Chicago Red Stars Houston, TX
7:30 p.m. CDT Report Wright Yellow card  26' Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 4,204
Referee: Tori Penso
April 16, 2021 (2021-04-16) OL Reign 0–0 Houston Dash Tacoma, WA
7:00 p.m. PDT Groom Yellow card  25' Report Weatherholt Yellow card  23' Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Attendance: 1,263[16]
Referee: Katja Koroleva
April 26, 2021 (2021-04-26) Kansas City NWSL 3–1 Houston Dash Kansas City, KS
7:30 p.m. CDT Miramontez Yellow card  29'
Corsie Yellow card  40'
Del FavaYellow card  54'
Vasconcelos   78'
Report Mewis   24', 71'
Campbell Yellow card  34'
Daly   45+1'
Visalli Yellow card  58'
Stadium: Children's Mercy Park
Attendance: 4,669[17]
Referee: Alyssa Nichols
May 2, 2021 (2021-05-02) Houston Dash 1–1 Portland Thorns FC Houston, TX
6:30 p.m. CDT Groom   45+2' Yellow card  57'
Chapman Yellow card  90+3'
Report Sinclair   77' Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 3,162
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

Divisional standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 4 3 1 0 6 2 +4 10 Qualification for the Championship
2 OL Reign 4 2 1 1 5 5 0 7
3 Houston Dash 4 1 3 0 4 2 +2 6
4 Chicago Red Stars 4 0 2 2 3 5 −2 2
5 Kansas City 4 0 1 3 4 8 −4 1
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

National Women's Soccer League season

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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

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May 15, 2021 (2021-05-15) 1 NJ/NY Gotham FC 1–0 Houston Dash Harrison, NJ
7:00 p.m. EDT Cudjoe Yellow card  8'
Purce   30'
Monaghan Yellow card  73'
Report Hanson Yellow card  66'
Prince Yellow card  68'
Daly Yellow card  81'
Schmidt Yellow card  90+1'
Stadium: Red Bull Arena
Attendance: 1,924[18]
May 23, 2021 (2021-05-23) 2 Houston Dash 2–2 Kansas City Current Houston, TX
6:00 p.m. CDT Schmidt Yellow card  57'
Daly   60'
Groom   66'
Report Rodriguez   13'
Ball Yellow card  53' Yellow-red card  69'
Listro Yellow card  87'
Leach Yellow card  61'   90+2'
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 3,034
May 26, 2021 (2021-05-26) 3 Washington Spirit 2–1 Houston Dash Houston, TX
8:30 p.m. EDT Sanchez   21'
Sullivan Yellow card  44' Yellow-red card  50'
Hatch   70' Yellow card  80'
Report Daly   9'
Hanson Yellow card  45'
Groom Yellow card  75'
Prince Yellow card  90+5'
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 2,241
Note: Match was relocated from Segra Field in Leesburg, VA, after NWSL officials deemed the stadium to be noncompliant with league requirements. For competition purposes, the Spirit were considered the home team for this match played in the Dash's home venue.[19]
May 29, 2021 (2021-05-29) 4 Houston Dash 2–1 Chicago Red Stars Houston, TX
6:30 p.m. CDT Prince   18' Yellow card  69'
Mewis   83'
Report Pugh   4'
Gautrat Yellow card  59'
Stadium: BBVA Stadium
Attendance: 3,136[20]
June 6, 2021 (2021-06-06) 5 Kansas City NWSL 0–1 Houston Dash Kansas City, KS
1:00 p.m. CDT Smith Yellow card  27' Report Prisock Yellow card  18'
Groom Yellow card  27'
Seiler Yellow card  40'
Mewis Yellow card  52'
Naughton   79'
Montefusco Yellow card  89'
Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 4,265
June 20, 2021 (2021-06-20) 6 Racing Louisville FC 1–0 Houston Dash Louisville, KY
3:00 p.m. EDT Bonner Yellow card  10'
Salmon   72'
Report Latsko Yellow card  7' Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 5,971
June 26, 2021 (2021-06-26) 7 Houston Dash 2–1 Orlando Pride Houston, TX
7:00 p.m. CDT Sanchez   18'
Latsko   26'
Hanson Yellow card  90+5'
Report Jónsdóttir   49'
Daugherty Howard Yellow card  56'
Marta Yellow card  90'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 4,693[21]
July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02) 8 Houston Dash 2–0 OL Reign Houston, TX
7:30 p.m. CDT Prisock Yellow card  44'
Gomera-Stevens Yellow card  45+2'
Spencer   50'
Naughton   57'
Alozie Yellow card  90'
Report Celia Yellow card  17' Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 4,337
July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11) 9 Chicago Red Stars 2–1 Houston Dash Bridgeview, IL
Groom   73' (o.g.)
Naughton   76' (o.g.)
Report Latsko   62'
Hanson Yellow card  88'
Stadium: SeatGeek Stadium
Attendance: 2,520[22]
July 17, 2021 (2021-07-17) 10 North Carolina Courage 1–2 Houston Dash Cary, NC
7:00 p.m. EDT Hamilton   16'
Mathias Yellow card  57'
O'Sullivan Yellow card  61'
Report Groom   9' Yellow card  29'
Seiler   62' Yellow card  69'
Visalli Yellow card  90+5'
Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park
Attendance: 5,229
July 24, 2021 (2021-07-24) 11 Houston Dash 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Houston, TX
Ogle Yellow card  64' Report Smith   1'
Salem Yellow card  54'
Hubly Yellow card  62'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 1,929[23]
August 1, 2021 (2021-08-01) 12 Houston Dash 1–1 NJ/NY Gotham FC Houston, TX
6:00 p.m. CDT Seiler   51'
Groom Yellow card  90+6'
Report Onumonu Yellow card  27'   89' Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 3,517
August 7, 2021 (2021-08-07) 13 OL Reign 5–1 Houston Dash Tacoma, WA
7:00 p.m. PDT Balcer   6', 45+1'
Huerta   19'
Le Sommer   35'
Fishlock   42'
Report Cook   30' (o.g.)
Fields Yellow card  49'
Alozie   84'
Stadium: Cheney Stadium
Attendance: 2,922
August 13, 2021 (2021-08-13) 14 Houston Dash 2–2 Washington Spirit Houston, TX
8:30 p.m. EDT Latsko   61' Yellow card  90+4'
Fields Yellow card  67'
Abam   83'
Report Nielsen   8'
Huster Yellow card  5'   53'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 3,167
August 29, 2021 (2021-08-29) 15 Houston Dash 1–0 Racing Louisville FC Houston, TX
Daly   49'
Naughton Yellow card  73'
Visalli Yellow card  90+7'
Hanson Yellow card  90+8'
Report Baucom Yellow card  68'
Simon Yellow card  82'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 3,292
September 1, 2021 (2021-09-01) 16 Houston Dash 0–1 OL Reign Houston, TX
Montefusco Yellow card  46'
Spencer Yellow card  54'
Daly Yellow card  68'
Report Balcer   7'
King Yellow card  86'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 2,569[24]
September 5, 2021 (2021-09-05) 17 Orlando Pride 1–1 Houston Dash Orlando, FL
Howard Yellow card  70'
Kornieck   79'
Report Daly   10' Yellow card  53'
Seiler Yellow card  68'
Stadium: Exploria Stadium
Attendance: 4,451[25]
September 10, 2021 (2021-09-10) 18 Houston Dash 1–1 Chicago Red Stars Houston, TX
7:30 p.m. CDT Daly   22'
Chapman Yellow card  76'
Report Krueger Yellow card  64'   77' Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 3,155
September 26, 2021 (2021-09-26) 19 Racing Louisville FC 0–4 Houston Dash Louisville, KY
3:00 p.m. EDT Matthews Yellow card  16' Report Visalli   34'
Mewis   43'
Naughton   72'
Prince   83'
Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium
Attendance: 6,374
October 6, 2021 (2021-10-06) 20 Portland Thorns FC 2–3 Houston Dash Portland, OR
7:00 p.m. PDT Sauerbrunn Yellow card  17'
Sinclair   30'
Horan Yellow card  56'
Smith   57'
Report Daly   18', 79'
Mewis   23'
Stadium: Providence Park
Attendance: 11,139
October 10, 2021 (2021-10-10) 21 Houston Dash 4–1 North Carolina Courage Houston, TX
6:00 p.m. CDT Visalli   6'
Montefusco Yellow card  19'
Daly   24', 57'
Groom   26'
Report McDonald   4'
Erceg Yellow card  66'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 4,155
October 13, 2021 (2021-10-13) 22 Kansas City NWSL 3–0 Houston Dash Kansas City, KS
7:00 p.m. CDT Jenkins   18'
Ball   36'
Pickett Yellow card  87'
LaBonta   90+2'
Report Spencer Yellow card  90+4' Stadium: Legends Field
Attendance: 3,449
October 17, 2021 (2021-10-17) 23 Houston Dash 0–1 Portland Thorns FC Houston, TX
6:00 p.m. CDT Chapman Yellow card  52' Report Horan   43'
Rodriguez Yellow card  60'
Stadium: PNC Stadium
Attendance: 4,792
October 31, 2021 (2021-10-31) 24 Washington Spirit 1–0 Houston Dash Washington, D.C.
Rodman   76' Report Naughton Yellow card  63'
Groom Yellow card  72'
Stadium: Audi Field
Attendance: 4,542

Standings

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Portland Thorns FC 24 13 5 6 33 17 +16 44 NWSL Shield
2 OL Reign 24 13 3 8 37 24 +13 42 Playoffs – Semi-finals
3 Washington Spirit (C) 24 11 6 7 29 26 +3 39 Playoffs – First round
4 Chicago Red Stars 24 11 5 8 28 28 0 38
5 NJ/NY Gotham FC 24 8 11 5 29 21 +8 35
6 North Carolina Courage 24 9 6 9 28 23 +5 33
7 Houston Dash 24 9 5 10 31 31 0 32
8 Orlando Pride 24 7 7 10 27 32 −5 28
9 Racing Louisville FC 24 5 7 12 21 40 −19 22
10 Kansas City 24 3 7 14 15 36 −21 16
Source: NWSL
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(C) Champions

International Champions Cup

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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] The Dash drew against the Thorns in regulation of the semi-final match, but lost in a penalty shootout.[27] The Dash also fell in the third-place match against FC Barcelona, despite rallying to a 2–1 lead in the second half.[28]

Results

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August 18, 2021 (2021-08-18) Semi-final Portland Thorns FC United States  2–2
(3–1 p)
United States  Houston Dash Portland, OR
20:06 PDT
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Referee: Adorae Monroy
Penalties
August 21, 2021 (2021-08-21) Third place play-off Barcelona Spain  3–2 United States  Houston Dash Portland, OR
16:36 PDT
Report
Stadium: Providence Park
Referee: Samantha Martinez

Bracket

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Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
August 18 – Portland
 
 
France  Lyon3
 
August 21 – Portland
 
Spain  Barcelona2
 
France  Lyon0
 
August 18 – Portland
 
United States  Portland Thorns FC1
 
United States  Portland Thorns FC (p)2 (3)
 
 
United States  Houston Dash2 (1)
 
Third place play-off
 
 
August 21 – Portland
 
 
Spain  Barcelona3
 
 
United States  Houston Dash2

References

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  1. ^ "NWSL Announces Innovative 2021 Competition Framework" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. November 18, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  2. ^ Molinaro, John (May 13, 2021). "2021 NWSL season preview: Everything you need to know". Sportsnet. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Carlisle, Jeff (May 19, 2021). "Sources: Houston Dynamo, Dash near $400 million sale to Ted Segal". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Houston Dash suspend head coach, general manager James Clarkson amid harassment investigation". ESPN.com. Reuters. April 27, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  8. ^ "PNC Completes Acquisition of BBVA USA" (Press release). PNC Financial Services. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ "Club – Players". Houston Dynamo. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  11. ^ "Statistics". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  12. ^ Hruby, Emma (September 2, 2021). "Abby Dahlkemper makes first Houston Dash start". Just Women's Sports. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  13. ^ "Team Staff". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ Coffman, Lauren (May 15, 2021). "Three Things We've Learnt from Houston Dash Challenge Cup Run". Her Football Hub. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "OL Reign vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - April 16, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  17. ^ "Kansas City Current vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - April 26, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - May 15, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  19. ^ Liss-Roy, Anna; Haynes, Darren (May 24, 2021). "Fans upset after Washington Spirit moves home opener to Houston". WUSA 9. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  20. ^ "Houston vs. Chicago Red Stars - Football Match Summary - May 29, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "Houston vs. Orlando Pride - Football Match Summary - June 26, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  22. ^ "Chicago Red Stars vs. Houston - Football Match Summary - July 11, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  23. ^ "Houston vs. Portland Thorns FC - Football Match Summary - July 24, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  24. ^ "Houston vs. OL Reign - Football Match Summary - September 1, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  25. ^ "Orlando Pride vs. Houston Dash - Football Match Summary - September 5, 2021". ESPN. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  26. ^ Roepken, Corey (August 17, 2021). "Dash get ready to take on the world's best". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ 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.
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See also

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