NEED TO KNOW:

DF Ally Prisock will remain with the Dash through the 2024 season

Prisock played almost every minute of the 2022 NWSL regular season and in Houston’s post season debut

Prisock was drafted No. 12 overall by the Dash in the 2019 NWSL College Draft

HOUSTON – The Houston Dash and defender Ally Prisock have agreed to a new two-year contract through the 2024 season, the team announced today.

“Ally made strides this year, continues to develop as a player and held down our back line with consistently solid performances,” Dash general manager Alex Singer said. “She played a big role in the team’s success and bringing her back was a priority. I’m so glad she’ll be with us for the future.”

Prisock played and started every regular season and postseason game for the Dash in 2022 while recording 63 clearances and 32 interceptions. She scored her first career goal in the final game of the 2022 Challenge Cup in the 2-1 win over Racing Louisville.

The defender returned to the Dash during the 2022 Challenge Cup following a loan to GPSO 92 Issy in France and played a key role at center back to anchor the back line. The University of Southern California product was selected No. 12 overall by the Dash in the 2019 NWSL College Draft.

“We can only go up,” Prisock said. “We made the playoffs, and it was a historic year, but there’s so much more that we can accomplish. There’s a good amount of us coming back, so I just feel that these next few years, we’re going to keep growing. We want to keep making the playoffs and getting further than that.”

With the addition of Prisock, Houston now has 18 players under contract. The current Houston Dash roster can be found listed below in alphabetical order and by position:

Goalkeepers (2): Jane Campbell, Ella Dederick

Defenders (6): Julia Ashley, Allysha Chapman, Caprice Dydasco, Katie Naughton, Natalie Jacobs, Ally Prisock

Midfielders (3): Shea Groom, Sophie Schmidt, Marisa Viggiano

Forwards (7): Michelle Alozie, Joelle Anderson, Ryan Gareis, Paulina Gramaglia, Nichelle Prince, Ebony Salmon, Maria Sanchez

TRANSACTION: Houston Dash sign defender Ally Prisock through 2024 season.

NEED TO KNOW:

Laity becomes the fourth head coach in team history

Laity has coached with OL Reign since 2013, and most recently served as the Head Assistant Coach leading the team to the best overall record in the NWSL in 2022

Laity will join Club majority owner and chairman Ted Segal and Dash general manager Alex Singer at PNC Stadium later today at 11:00 a.m. CDT to meet with Houston-area media

HOUSTON – The Houston Dash hired Sam Laity as the fourth head coach in team history, the team announced today. Laity will be formally introduced to media later today in a press conference at 11 a.m. CDT at PNC Stadium.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sam and his family to Houston. From the first conversations I had with Sam, I knew he would be a great fit for the team, club, and city,” Dash general manager Alex Singer said. “As we went through the interview process, Sam stood out as the ideal candidate to lead the team. He is a players’ coach with the respect and trust of players, staff, and stakeholders across our league and sport. He has seen the ups and downs through the evolution of the NWSL and knows what it takes to be successful. His deep knowledge of this league is an invaluable asset but most importantly, his values align with the culture we want to build and the competitive product we want to see on the field.”

Laity brings extensive coaching experience through a decade-long career in the NWSL with the OL Reign. The 46-year-old coached in more than 200 NWSL regular season and playoff games during his tenure as an assistant coach at OL Reign and spent most of his career as the primary assistant under OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey. Laity also served as an interim head coach during the 2021 season for six games and finished with a 4-2-0 (WLD) record.

Laity helped lead the Reign to a NWSL best 11-7-4 record last season, awarding the Seattle-based club the NWSL Shield and the No. 1 overall seed in the 2022 NWSL Playoffs. That was the sixth trip to the postseason for OL Reign and third NWSL Shield.

“I am excited about joining Houston Dash, the things that I’ve experienced in the very short period of time since I’ve been in discussions with the club, have really filled with hope that this club is doing the right things that are necessary to not just be a competitive team,” Houston Dash head coach Sam Laity said. “The values between the upper management and the coaching staff have to be aligned for the for the two of us to be successful and that is one of the things that drew me in.”

Laity also served as an assistant coach under current United States Women’s National Team head coach Vlatko Andonovski from 2017 to 2019 at Seattle Reign FC.

Laity has become a key figure in the Seattle soccer community in the more than 10 years he has lived in the Emerald City. From 2006 to 2011, Laity was an associate staff coach at United Soccer Coaches, where he led coach education and licensing.

“We are excited to welcome Sam Laity to the Houston Dash,” majority owner and chairman Ted Segal said. “Sam is an accomplished coach with several postseason appearances and a proven ability to win in this league. We were impressed by Sam’s approach to player development as well as his ambition in fostering a fast and physical style of play that we expect will resonate with fans and help the Dash build on the success of the 2022 season.”

The search for Laity was led by Singer, who is the first standalone general manager in team history, with the support of club leadership.

Laity currently holds a UEFA “B” License and a NSCAA Master Coach Diploma. He is enrolled in the US Soccer Federation’s “A“ senior licensing course. Laity graduated from the University of St. Mark and St. John in 2001 with a degree in Sports and Exercise.