NWSL Match Preview: Houston Dash (3-8-3) vs. North Carolina Courage (5-5-4)

Team Overview

Houston Dash

Record: 3 Wins – 8 Losses – 3 Draws (12 points)

Standing: 12th in NWSL

Recent Form: D–L–L–L–D

Goals Scored: 15

Goals Conceded: 24

Key Players:

Bárbara Olivieri – 2 goals, 2 assists

Avery Patterson – 2 goals, emerging playmaker

Yazmeen Ryan – 1 goal, 1 assist, 14 chances created

Ryan Gareis – 3 assists, team leader in distribution

Abby Smith (GK) – Started last five matches

Houston has struggled defensively, conceding 1.71 goals per match. Despite flashes of attacking promise, they’ve failed to win at home since May. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat, formerly an assistant with the Courage, is still searching for consistency in his first season.

North Carolina Courage

Record: 5 Wins – 5 Losses – 4 Draws (19 points)

Standing: 9th in NWSL

Recent Form: W–D–W–L–D

Goals Scored: 18

Goals Conceded: 17

Key Players:

Manaka Matsukubo – 4 goals, 3 assists; goal contributions in last 4 matches

Cortnee Vine – Scored fastest goal in NWSL this season (42 seconds)

Kaleigh Kurtz – 100 consecutive starts, defensive anchor

Sam Staab – League record holder for consecutive starts (106)

The Courage are unbeaten in their last three and enter this match with momentum. Matsukubo has been instrumental in their recent success, and their defense has held firm against top-tier attacks.

Head-to-Head Snapshot

Last 5 Meetings	Result
June 21, 2025	Courage 2–1 Dash
Sept 2024	Courage 1–0 Dash
May 2024	Dash 2–2 Courage
July 2023	Courage 3–0 Dash
April 2023	Dash 1–1 Courage

Courage wins: 3

Dash wins: 0

Draws: 2

Courage unbeaten in last 5 vs Dash