Houston Dash

Houston Dash
Nickname(s) Dash
Founded December 11, 2013 (2013-12-11)
Stadium BBVA Compass Stadium
Ground Capacity 22,039
Owner Gabriel Brener
Oscar De La Hoya
Jake Silverstein
Ben Guill
President & Director Chris Canetti & Brian Ching
Head Coach Randy Waldrum
League National Women's Soccer League
2016 Overall: 8th
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Website Club home page

The Houston Dash is a professional women's soccer team based in Houston, Texas. They joined the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the 2014 season.

History

Establishment

On November 19, 2013, the Houston Dynamo began talks in the initial stages with the intention of bringing a top flight women's professional soccer franchise to Houston.[1] Just a week later, the effort was bolstered when the Dynamo began accepting refundable deposits for a potential NWSL expansion team.[2] On December 11, 2013, the National Women's Soccer League awarded the Houston Dynamo and the city of Houston an expansion franchise.[3]

Team name, crest, and colors unveiled

During a press conference on December 12, 2013, Houston Dynamo President Chris Canetti announced that the club would be named the Houston Dash and would share similar colors to the Dynamo: orange, black, and sky blue.[4] The crest features a soccer ball along with the words "Houston Dash" with sky blue lines in the background. Of the expansion, Canetti said, "We are thrilled to have our very own NWSL franchise here in Houston. It is an important addition to our sports landscape and will bring added value to our community. We share the vision for this league and look forward to playing our part in making it a great success. Part of our responsibility is to grow the game of soccer, and this new team will play a significant role in that effort."[5]

Ownership and team management

Houston Dash is owned by the same ownership group as the Dynamo, Gabriel Brener, Jake Silverstein, Ben Guill, and multiple World and Olympic boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya.[6]

On December 23, 2013, Former Houston Dynamo player Brian Ching was named Managing Director, in charge of day-to-day duties on both the business and technical sides of under the supervision of Houston Dash and Dynamo team president Chris Canetti.[7]

On January 3, 2014, Randy Waldrum was named as the Dash's first head coach, having previously coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's soccer team to two national titles since joining the team in 1999.[8]

BBVA Compass Stadium is the current home of the Houston Dash and Dynamo.

Stadium

Main article: BBVA Compass Stadium

The Dash play their games at BBVA Compass Stadium, a stadium opened in May 2012, that features a 22,000 seat capacity. For the team's inaugural season, 7,000 seats in the lower seating bowl are available for home games.[9] When the stadium opened in 2012, it became the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city's downtown district.[10]

First team squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Mexico GK Bianca Henninger
2 Brazil DF Poliana Barbosa Medeiros
3 England FW Rachel Daly
4 United States DF Rebecca Moros
5 United States DF Cari Roccaro
6 United States MF Morgan Brian
7 United States FW Kealia Ohai
8 Australia DF Ellie Brush
9 United States FW Chioma Ubogagu
10 United States MF Carli Lloyd
No. Position Player
11 Canada FW Janine Beckie
12 United States FW Amber Brooks
13 Republic of Ireland DF Denise O'Sullivan
17 Brazil MF Andressa Machry
18 Australia GK Lydia Williams
21 United States FW Melissa Henderson
22 United States DF Stephanie Ochs
23 United States MF Cami Privett
27 United States MF Caity Heap
-- Brazil DF Bruna Benites

Team officials

Senior club staff

Coaching staff

Seasons

Year League Regular Season Playoffs
2014 NWSL 9th, (5–16–3) Did not qualify
2015 NWSL 5th, (6–8–6) Did not qualify
2016 NWSL 8th, (6–10–4) Did not qualify

See also

References

  1. ↑ de Jesus Ortiz, Jose (November 19, 2013). "Dynamo pursue expansion franchise in women's league". The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  2. ↑ Farley, Richard (November 21, 2013). "Houston Dynamo accepting refundable deposits for potential NWSL expansion team, and why it's a no-brainer for the league". NBC Sports. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  3. ↑ Berman, Mark (December 11, 2013). "Houston and Dynamo land National Women's Soccer League team". KRIV. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  4. ↑ Lovell, Darrell (December 13, 2013). "Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti: Houston Dash's formation "will make soccer stronger"". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Houston Dynamo launch Houston Dash as expansion member of National Women's Soccer League". Houston Dynamo. December 12, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ De La Hoya on the way to Dynamo, HoustonDynamo.com, February 26, 2008
  7. ↑ Brian Ching named Houston Dash managing director, Houston Dash Communications, December 23, 2013
  8. ↑ Dash hire highly-acclaimed coach from Notre Dame to be their first head coach, My FOX Houston, January 3, 2014
  9. ↑ Lauletta, Dan (December 12, 2013). "It's official — Houston Dash to join NWSL for 2014". Equalizer Soccer. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  10. ↑ Major League Soccer, L.L.C. "Dynamo Stadium 2012". Houston Dynamo. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
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