The 2025 Houston Dash season was the team's twelfth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League.
Season summary
Pre-season Immediately following the 2024 season, the Houston Dash started their preparation for the 2025 NWSL Season.
Houston began the offseason by strengthening their roster, signing Delanie Sheehan from NJ/NY Gotham FC on December 4, 2024. The next day, Houston started work to extend contracts to players, signing defender Avery Patterson for another three seasons with the team. On December 6, 2024, Houston made two more roster moves agreeing to mutually terminate Elin Rubensson's contract and offering a contract extension to Kiki Van Zanten for another two years with a mutual year option.
On December 9, the Dash announced the hiring of Angela Hucles Mangano, formerly general manager of Angel City FC, to the new role of president of women's soccer. The role's duties included those of the general manager and chief of soccer operations.
On December 10, 2024, Houston made a flurry of moves as they moved forward towards the 2025 season. They signed Christen Westphal in a trade with San Diego Wave FC, giving up a 2025 international slot and $14,000 in allocation money in the trade. The team also extended contracts on defender Jyllissa Harris through the 2027 season with a mutual year option, defender Allysha Chapman through the 2026 season with a mutual year option, and forward Amanda West through the 2026 season with a mutual year contract. Houston also announced the roster decision which included exercising the mutual option on midfielder Sophie Schmidt, unilateral option on goalkeeper Heather Hinz, and contract renewals of forward Michelle Alozie, defender Natalie Jacobs, defender Paige Nielsen, midfielder Bárbara Olivieri, and midfielder Sarah Puntigam. In addition to signings, Houston announced they had agreed to decline the mutual options of forward Paulina Gramaglia, midfielder Andressa, and defender Croix Soto. In addition goalkeeper Erin McKinney and midfielder Havana Solaun were out of contract. Lastly they agreed to mutual contract termination with forward Cece Kizer and midfielder Madison Ayson.
On December 17, 2024, Houston announced they would be taking part in the Coachella Valley Invitational in February 2025 as part of their pre-season games. December 27, 2024 Houston announced they had acquired Yazmeen Ryan.
On January 3, 2025, Houston announced they had hired Fabrice Gautrat as the new head coach headed into the 2025 season.
On January 17, 2025, Houston announced that they had signed Abby Smith. Smith was acquired on a trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC for $20,000 of intra-league transfer funds. On January 21, 2025, Houston Dash announced the signing of midfielder Maggie Graham to a contract through 2027. Graham played her last five years at Duke and is the first collegiate players signed by Houston since the NWSL's new CBA. On the same day, Houston announced the signing of midfielder Danielle Colaprico through the 2026 season. On January 27, Houston announced the signing of forward Messiah Bright from Angel City FC for $100,000 in inter-league transfer funds.
On February 2, Houston announced Tarciane had been traded to Lyon for an undisclosed record fee. On February 10, 2025, Houston announced the signing of Swedish midfielder Evelina Duljan for the 2025 season.
On March 4, Yuki Nagasato announced her retirement from professional football.
March/April Houston started their season at home with a 1–2 loss to the Washington Spirit, with Maggie Graham getting the first goal of her career. In their first road game of the year, Houston secured their first win of the season, 2–1 against Chicago Stars FC on the back of goals by Paige Nielsen and Maggie Graham. Houston returned home and earned their first clean sheet of the season, playing NJ/NY Gotham FC to a 0–0 draw. Returning from the international break, Houston fell 1–3 to Angel City FC at home, with Bárbara Olivieri getting her first goal of the season. Houston travelled to the undefeated Kansas City Current, falling 0–2 as Kansas City expanded their regular season undefeated streak to an NWSL record nine game. Houston returned home for a two-game stand, facing Utah Royals FC, earning their first home win of the season 1–0.
May/June In their second game of the two game home stance, Houston fell to Racing Louisville FC 1–2 after two long weather delays. Houston travelled to Seattle for their next match, earning a road victory over the Seattle Reign 1–0 on a goal by Graham in the second half. Houston returned home to host Portland Thorns, falling 1–4, with the only goal coming from an Own goal. The next week, Houston hosted Bay FC, earning a 2–2 draw on goals by Avery Patterson and Messiah Bright. On May 30, Houston announced they had transferred Diana Ordóñez to Tigres Femenil for an undisclosed amount. Houston fell in a defensive struggle against the Pride 0–1. On June 12, Houston signed Ellie Ospeck on a short-term contract. Houston hosted San Diego, but fell to the Wave 2–3, with goals from Olivieri and Ryan. Houston ended the first half of the season with another loss falling to North Carolina 1–2 with a goal from Patterson, but lost Puntingam after getting two yellows, and being sent off.
July/August On July 22, Houston announced the signing of Canadian international forward Clarissa Larisey from Crystal Palace for an undisclosed fee. Larisey is signed through the 2027 season. Houston returned from the summer break and earned a 2–2 against Bay FC. Getting goals from van Zanten and Schmidt. Houston returned home and earned a dramatic 2–1 win against North Carolina with a stoppage time goal by Schmidt, adding to an earlier goal by van Zanten. On July 11, Houston announced the signing of Italian International Defender Lisa Boattin for an undisclosed amount. Boattin is signed through the 2027 season. On August 22, Houston traded Olivieri to expansion team Boston Legacy FC for $100,000, half of which will come in 2025 and half in 2026. Houston extended their unbeaten streak to four games, earning a 1–1 draw against Seattle Reign, on a goal by Ryan. Houston ended the month of August unbeaten with a 1–1 draw versus Louisville, on a goal by Duljan.
September/October Houston continued their good form, with a 3–0 road win versus San Diego. Goals were scored by Larisey, Ryan and Bright. Houston earned a 1–0 win against Chicago on a goal by Ryan, breaking the Stars 8-game unbeaten run. Houston travelled to the nation's capital, falling 0–4 to the Spirit, their worst defeat of the season to date. Malia Berkely scored her first goal for Houston, but the team failed to secure all three points after giving up a late game goal, earning a 1–1 draw against Orlando at home. Houston then travelled to California to face Angel City FC, falling 0–2, ending their chance for a playoff bid. Houston then returned home to face league leading Kansas City, ending their 17 game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 win for their final home game of the season. Houston ended their season with an 0–2 away loss to the Thorns.
Roster
. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Goals Goalkeepers 1 Jane Campbell GK 2017 Stanford Cardinal 17 0 3 Liz Beardsley GK 2025 Maryland 0 0 35 Abby Smith GK 2025 NJ/NY Gotham FC 9 0 Heather Hinz GK 2024 Virginia Tech Hokies 0 0 Nadia Cooper GK 2025 Minnesota Aurora FC 0 0 Defenders 2 Allysha Chapman DF 2018 North Carolina Courage 10 0 10 Malia Berkely DF 2025 North Carolina Courage 5 1 14 Paige Nielsen DF 2024 Angel City FC 24 2 20 Christen Westphal DF 2025 San Diego Wave FC 8 0 25 Katie Lind DF 2020 Perth Glory 16 0 27 Lisa Boattin DF 2025 Juventus 4 0 29 Rebeca DF 2025 Cruzeiro 0 0 42 Anna Heilferty DF 2025 Washington Spirit 4 0 Natalie Jacobs DF 2022 Real Betis Féminas 15 0 Midfielders 5 Zoe Matthews MF 2024 Solar SC 0 0 7 Evelina Duljan MF 2025 Orlando Pride FC 12 1 8 Delanie Sheehan MF 2025 NJ/NY Gotham FC 24 1 12 Kiki Van Zanten MF 2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 15 2 13 Sophie Schmidt MF 2019 FFC Frankfurt 9 2 17 Sarah Puntigam MF 2023 FC Köln 15 0 19 Belle Briede MF 2024 San Diego Wave FC 0 0 23 Maggie Graham MF 2025 Duke 19 3 24 Danielle Colaprico MF 2025 San Diego Wave FC 23 0 89 Chloe Ricketts MF 2025 Washington Spirit 1 0 Bárbara Olivieri MF 2023 Monterrey 13 2 Forwards 6 Messiah Bright FW 2025 Angel City FC 24 2 9 Clarissa Larisey FW 2025 Crystal Palace 9 1 11 Yazmeen Ryan FW 2025 NJ/NY Gotham FC 21 4 15 Avery Patterson FW 2024 North Carolina Tar Heels 20 3 21 Ryan Gareis FW 2022 South Carolina Gamecocks 17 1 22 Michelle Alozie FW 2021 Tennessee Volunteers 18 0 Ramona Bachmann FW 2024 Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (women) 2 0 Diana Ordóñez FW 2023 North Carolina Courage 3 0 Ellie Ospeck FW 2025 Notre Dame 0 0
Transactions Transfers in Date Player Previous club Fee/notes December 4, 2024 Delanie Sheehan MF NJ/NY Gotham FC 2026+ 1 year December 10, 2024 Christen Westphal DF San Diego Wave FC 2025 International slot and $14,000 Allocation Money December 27, 2024 Yazmeen Ryan FW NJ/NY Gotham FC Received Ryan and $80,000 inter-league trade funds in exchange for $400,000 Allocation funds and a 2025 International slot January 17, 2025 Abby Smith GK NJ/NY Gotham FC $20,000 Intra-league transfer funds January 21, 2025 Maggie Graham MF Duke Free Agent January 21, 2025 Danielle Colaprico MF San Diego Wave FC Free Agent January 27, 2025 Messiah Bright FW Angel City FC $100,000 Inter-league transfer money February 10, 2025 Evelina Duljan MF Orlando Pride FC Free Agent March 11, 2025 Liz Beardsley GK Maryland Short–term contract March 26, 2025 Rebeca (footballer) DF Cruzeiro 2027 + one-year option June 12, 2025 Ellie Ospeck FW Notre Dame Short-term contract July 22, 2025 Clarissa Larisey FW Crystal Palace Transfer, undisclosed fee August 11, 2025 Lisa Boattin DF Juventus Transfer, undisclosed fee August 22, 2025 Nadia Cooper GK Minnesota Aurora Short–term contract September 12, 2025 Malia Berkely DF North Carolina Courage $75,000 in 2026 intra-league transfer funds September 12, 2025 Anna Heilferty DF Washington Spirit Short–term contract October 1, 2025 Chloe Ricketts MF Washington Spirit $15,000 in intra–league transfer funds Nadia Cooper GK Minnesota Aurora Free agent
Transfers out Date Player Destination club Fee/notes December 6, 2024 Elin Rubensson MF BK Häcken FF Mutual Contract Termination December 10, 2024 Paulina Gramaglia FW CD Tenerife Mutual Option Declined Andressa MF Corinthians Mutual Option Declined Croix Soto DF AFC Toronto Mutual Option Declined Erin McKinney GK Fort Lauderdale United FC Out of Contract Havana Solaun MF Out of Contract Cece Kizer FW NJ/NY Gotham FC Mutual Contract Termination Madison Ayson MF Canberra United FC Mutual Contract Termination February 2, 2025 Tarciane DF Lyon Undisclosed Fee March 3, 2025 Yuki Nagasato FW N/A Retired May 30, 2025 Diana Ordóñez FW Tigres Femenil Undisclosed Fee June 30, 2025 Ellie Ospeck FW San Diego Wave FC End of short–term contract June 30, 2025 Bárbara Olivieri MF Boston Legacy FC $100,000 September 12, 2025 Ramona Bachmann FW Mutual agreement September 12, 2025 Natalie Jacobs DF North Carolina Courage Transfer September 18, 2025 Nadia Cooper GK Houston Dash End of short–term contract
Loan out No.Pos.PlayerLoaned toStartEndSource 18 GK Heather Hinz Fort Lauderdale United FC November 9, 2024 February 16, 2025 33 DF Jyllissa Harris Ottawa Rapid FC March 10, 2025 December 31, 2025 16 FW Amanda West AFC Toronto April 4, 2025 August 18, 2025 29 DF Rebeca Dux Logroño August 19, 2025 June 30, 2025 5 DF Zoe Matthews Dux Logroño August 20, 2025 June 30, 2025
New contracts