NWSL Match Preview: Washington Spirit (10-4-7) vs. Houston Dash (7-9-5)

0
102
Washington Spirit logo

Venue, Date & Time

Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.

Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025

Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT

Broadcast: NWSL+ (streaming), Monumental Sports Network (local DC)

Weather Forecast (Washington, D.C.)

Conditions: Sunny, mild

Temperature: ~74°F (23°C) at kickoff, rising to ~77°F (25°C) mid-match

Wind: Light, 6–8 mph from the southwest

Impact: Ideal soccer conditions; no weather disruptions expected

Injury Report

Washington Spirit

Out: Rebeca Bernal (foot), Ashley Hatch (maternity leave), Hal Hershfelt (suspension), Lyza Jessee (wrist, SEI), Casey Krueger (knee), Ouleye Sarr (back, SEI), Andi Sullivan (maternity leave)

Questionable: Croix Bethune (knee, recently upgraded from SEI list)

Houston Dash

Out: Maggie Graham (shoulder, SEI), Sophie Schmidt (knee, SEI), Amanda West (knee, SEI)

Questionable: Ryan Gareis (illness)

Key Player Matchups

Trinity Rodman (Spirit, F, 7 goals, 5 assists) vs. Allysha Chapman (Dash, LB)

Rodman’s pace and creativity will test Houston’s veteran fullback.

Croix Bethune (Spirit, M, 6 assists in 2024) vs. Diana Ordóñez (Dash, F, 5 goals)

Bethune’s playmaking against Ordóñez’s finishing threat.

Aubrey Kingsbury (Spirit, GK) vs. Michelle Alozie (Dash, F, 4 goals)

Kingsbury’s shot-stopping vs. Alozie’s direct attacking style.

Gabrielle Carle (Spirit, RB) vs. Yazmeen Ryan (Dash, M)

Carle’s defensive discipline against Ryan’s creativity in midfield.

Team Records & Recent Form

Washington Spirit (10-4-7, 37 pts, 3rd East)

Last 5: D–D–W–D–W

Goals: 30 scored, 24 conceded (+6 GD)

Home Record: 6-2-3

Trend: Unbeaten in last 5, strong defensive form

Houston Dash (7-9-5, 26 pts, 9th East)

Last 5: W–L–W–D–D

Goals: 24 scored, 29 conceded (-5 GD)

Away Record: 3-4-4

Trend: Mixed form, but resilient in tight matches

Series History

All-time H2H: 28 meetings → Spirit 13 wins, Dash 8 wins, 7 draws

Recent Meetings:

Mar 15, 2025: Houston 1–2 Washington

Sept 15, 2024: Washington 3–0 Houston

Apr 13, 2024: Houston 1–3 Washington

Trend: Spirit unbeaten in last 5 vs. Dash; Houston’s last win came in Oct 2022

Betting Trends

Spirit: 7 of last 9 H2H under 2.5 goals

Dash: 62% BTTS rate this season

Spirit: 12 wins as favorite in last 18 matches

Dash: 0 wins in last 4 as heavy underdog (+300 or higher)

MATCH ODDS

Washington Spirit – 215                Draw + 295                         Houston Dash + 500

Over 2.5 – 120                   Under 2.5 – 125

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025

Previous articleMLS Match Preview: FC Cincinnati (18-9-4) vs. Orlando City SC (14-7-9)
Next articleNWSL Match Preview: Seattle Reign FC (8-7-6) vs. North Carolina Courage (7-7-7)
NWSL Editor
Profile: A dedicated analyst of the National Women’s Soccer League with a strong command of the league’s tactical identity, player‑development pathways, and rapidly expanding competitive landscape. This columnist delivers comprehensive weekly coverage that blends statistical insight, match‑film study, and league‑wide context to highlight the storylines shaping the modern NWSL. Background: With extensive experience covering professional women’s soccer, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets and digital platforms, offering perspective on coaching trends, roster construction, and organizational strategy. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and tracking team progression throughout the season. Signature Coverage Areas: Match previews and tactical breakdowns Player performance evaluation and advanced metrics Draft analysis, transfer movement, and roster‑building strategy Coaching philosophies, formation trends, and special‑situations analysis Historical context, league milestones, and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex tactical concepts and statistical models into insights that resonate with both long‑time NWSL supporters and new followers of the league. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NWSL’s growth, competitiveness, and cultural impact.