2024 Houston Dash 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.[1] 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.[2] On December 18, 2023, the Dash traded $50,000 to the Utah Royals FC for Sierra Enge, before trading her to the San Diego Wave FC in exchange for Belle Briede, the natural third round draft pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, and $60,000.[3] The following day, the Dash continued their offseason moves by resigning María Sánchez to a three-year contract with an option for a fourth[4] for a record breaking 1.5 million dollars.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] On February 23, 2024, the Dash announced they had agreed to a contract extension through the 2025 season.[9] 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.[10] On March 13, Houston announced the signing Swedish international Elin Rubensson from BK Häcken.[11]

Houston started the season on the road suffering a 5–1 loss to the North Carolina Courage.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14] On April 3, Houston announced they had signed Swiss international forward Ramona Bachmann form Paris Saint–Germain for an undisclosed amount.[15] On April 12, Houston fell 3–1 to the Washington Spirit after a pre-game celebration to commemorate their 10th anniversary.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18] Houston also added Paige Nielsen to their team, bringing veteran leadership to their back line.[19] After the flurry of moves, Houston faced Portland Thorns, losing on the road 4–1.[20] On April 23, the Dash signed another Defender, getting Tarciane from Corinthians.[21] Houston ended the month of April with a 0–0 draw against Utah Royals.[22]

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.[23] In a midweek game on 8 May, Houston dropped three points to NJ/NY Gotham FC on a 8th minute goal by Lynn Williams.[24] 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.[25] In a shortened turn around, Houston returned home to play the Portland Thorns FC on May 17, losing 2–0.[26] In their sixth home match of the season, Houston earned their first home win, in a impressive 3–0 over North Carolina Courage.[27] Coming out of the international break, Houston faced RAcing Louisville, falling 2–0 on the road.[28] 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.[29] On 20 June, Houston announced Jane Campbell (soccer) had signed a contract extension through the 2027 season, with an option for the 2028 season.[30] Earning their sixth clean sheet of the season, Houston played San Diego Wave to a 0–0 draw.[31]

Draft picks are not automatically signed to the team roster. The 2024 NWSL Draft will be held on January 12, 2024.

Notes