Venue: PayPal Park, San Jose, California (Bay FC’s home stadium).
Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on CBS Sports Network (international options include NWSL+ and TV Azteca in some territories).
Weather forecast (San Jose, CA area)
Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy in the morning becoming partly cloudy, high around 83°F (upper 70s to lower 90s possible inland), low near 60–65°F, light west winds 5–10 mph in the afternoon. Pleasant, dry conditions with minimal precipitation chance expected.
Current Records and Recent Form
Houston Dash sit 9th with 26 points and solid recent momentum. They are unbeaten in their last three matches and 3-1-1 in their last five, highlighted by a dominant 5-0 home win over Chicago Stars FC on August 19/20. The Dash also defeated Bay FC 1-0 at home on July 24 (late stoppage-time winner) and have been competitive in the mid-table playoff race.
Bay FC are 15th with 19 points and have struggled of late. They enter on a five-match winless streak that began with the 1-0 loss at Houston on July 24, followed by defeats and draws (including a recent 2-3 loss at Utah Royals). Bay returns home after road results and will look to end the skid with key personnel available.
Series History
This is the second and final regular-season meeting of 2026. Houston won the first encounter 1-0 at Shell Energy Stadium on July 24 (stoppage-time goal). Prior meetings have been competitive; Houston holds a recent edge in this matchup.
Current Player Rosters (Key/Active Emphasis)
Bay FC (head coach Emma Coates): Goalkeepers Jordan Silkowitz, Emmie Allen, Camryn Miller; defenders Sydney Collins (captain), Kelli Hubly, Dorian Bailey, Jenna Nighswonger, Maddie Moreau, Aldana Cometti, Anouk Denton; midfielders Joelle Anderson, Tess Boade, Caroline Conti, Hannah Bebar, Claire Hutton, Taylor Huff, Kennedy Fuller; forwards Racheal Kundananji (returning from Zambia’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations), Karlie Lema, Alex Pfeiffer, Cristiana Girelli, Keira Barry, Agostina Holzheier. Kundananji’s return is a major boost after international duty.
Houston Dash: Goalkeepers Jane Campbell (captain/primary), Hillary Beall, Caroline DeLisle; defenders Allysha Chapman, Leah Klenke, Malia Berkely, Paige Nielsen, Avery Patterson, Cate Hardin, Lisa Boattin, Natalie Bain; midfielders Danielle Colaprico, Maggie Graham, Linda Ullmark, Kiki Van Zanten, Sarah Puntigam, Evelina Duljan; forwards Kat Rader (standout scorer), Kate Faasse, Clarissa Larisey, Messiah Bright, Khyah Harper, Miljana Ivanović. Rookie/young attackers like Rader have driven recent production.
Injury/Availability Reports
Bay FC has dealt with longer-term absences: Alyssa Malonson (knee – SEI/ACL), Heather Gilchrist (45-day IL earlier), and maternity leave for Abby Dahlkemper, Caprice Dydasco, and Emily Menges. Racheal Kundananji returns from international duty. Other notes have included various lower-body issues (e.g., Anouk Denton, Taylor Huff at times).
Houston has listed Makenzy Robbe (knee – SEI) and Sophie Schmidt (knee/ACL history) on longer-term lists. Earlier reports noted excused absences (e.g., Evelina Duljan, others) and occasional ankle/lower-body questions. Jane Campbell and the core attacking group (including Rader) have been available in recent strong results. Check official NWSL availability reports closer to kickoff for final confirmations.
Key Player Matchups
Racheal Kundananji / Karlie Lema / Alex Pfeiffer (Bay attack) vs. Houston back line (Paige Nielsen, Leah Klenke, Avery Patterson, Lisa Boattin) and Jane Campbell: Kundananji’s pace and finishing upon return will test Houston’s defense, which has tightened during the recent unbeaten run. Campbell’s experience is key in goal.
Kat Rader / Linda Ullmark / Clarissa Larisey / Kate Faasse (Dash attack) vs. Bay defense (Sydney Collins, Kelli Hubly, etc.) and Jordan Silkowitz: Rader has been a breakout scoring threat (multiple goals, strong recent form including contributions in the 5-0 win). Houston’s attacking depth and midfield service will pressure Bay’s back line.
Midfield control (Bay’s Conti / Bebar / Hutton vs. Houston’s Colaprico / Graham / Ullmark / Van Zanten): Dictates tempo and transitions. Houston’s recent form suggests better cohesion; Bay needs home energy and Kundananji involvement to generate chances.
Overall: Houston’s current form and finishing edge against Bay’s home advantage and returning star power.
MATCH ODDS
Houston Dash + 205
Bay FC + 105
Draw + 250
Over 2.5 – 165 Under 2.5 + 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 22, 2026
