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).

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

See also: 2020 Houston Dash season and 2021 NWSL abuse scandal

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

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

Roster

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 31) 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 36) 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 34) 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 29) 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 26) 2021 United States Utah Royals FC Reserves 0 0
Forwards
3 Rachel Daly England FW (1991-12-04) December 4, 1991 (age 33) 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 29) 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 31) 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

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

NWSL Challenge Cup

Main article: 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup

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

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

Main article: 2021 National Women's Soccer League season

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

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

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

Main article: 2021 Women's International Champions Cup

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

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

 
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

  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.

See also

Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Houston_Dash_season
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