A look at what’s ahead for the Houston Dash in the 2023 campaign
The 2023 season is rapidly approaching with the NWSL kicking off this Saturday, March 25! The 11th year of league action will feature 12 teams with the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup featuring mid-season.
In a team-by-team preview, we’ll break down each squad’s big moves, massive matches, and more of what to know as we get ready for the regular season opener.
Houston Dash
2022 Season: 4th | 10-6-6 – 36 points
Big Additions:
- Diana Ordóñez – 11 goals scored in 2022, an NWSL rookie record
- Courtney Peterson – former Orlando left back
- Devon Kerr – returning to Houston after time with Washington
Key Games:
- March 26: Racing Louisville FC (H) – Regular Season Opener
- April 19: Kansas City Current (H) – Challenge Cup Opener
What to Expect:
With the chance to build on a very successful 2022 season that saw them not only finish fourth in the league but also earn the club’s first playoff berth since 2014 under the direction of interim head coach Juan Carlos Amorós, who is now with Gotham FC, Houston can and should have high hopes for its 2023 campaign.
The Dash are now led by Sam Laity, a former assistant coach for the OL Reign. The team has not only re-signed a core group of players from last year but also added important players as it tries to improve on last year’s performance. Jane Campbell, the team’s goalkeeper, is back to help lead the defense. The club’s as of now intense assault got significantly more risky too, with advances Michelle Alozie, Ryan Gareis, Dark Salmon, and Maria Sánchez all back to lead the line close by new expansion Diana Ordóñez, who set a NWSL standard for most objectives scored as a tenderfoot while with the North Carolina Boldness (11). The Dash are still waiting for Nichelle Prince to come back from an injury that ended her season and prevents her from being selected.
Marisa Viggiano, Shea Groom, and Sophie Schmidt are all returning to the midfield. Barbara Olivieri, who played for Monterrey of the Liga MX Femenil club last year after a successful career at Texas A&M, where she won SEC Freshman of the Year in 2020, will join them. Havana Solaun, who made 20 appearances in two seasons with the North Carolina Courage, is another newcomer who will run the midfielder.
As Houston gets ready for a second run under Laity’s leadership and with a promising roster at his disposal and the assistance of his technical staff, there will be legitimately high expectations.
