Houston Dash Travel to Washington DC for Pivotal Playoff Showdown
Houston Dash Set to Clash with Washington Spirit in High-Stakes Showdown
Houston Dash Push for Playoffs in Crucial Match Against Washington Spirit
The Houston Dash are gearing up for a pivotal late-season encounter against the Washington Spirit this weekend at Audi Field in the nation’s capital. The match is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, at 12 p.m. CT, with live broadcasts available on NWSL+ and Paramount+. With just five matches left in the regular season, the Dash are two points below the playoff line and eager to secure a spot in the postseason.
Key Players to Watch: Houston’s Offensive and Defensive Prowess
Fresh off a 1-0 triumph over Chicago Stars FC at Shell Energy Stadium, the Houston Dash are building momentum. Forward Yazmeen Ryan, who netted the decisive goal in that game, is a player to watch. Ryan boasts 25 goal contributions since the start of the 2024 season, the highest by any American in the NWSL according to OPTA. Her performance with the NJ/NY Gotham FC last season included a standout hat trick in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup.
Defensively, recent debutant Malia Berkey, who joined from North Carolina Courage, fortified the lineup alongside Paige Nielsen. Nielsen, with 144 clearances this season, and goalkeeper Abby Smith, who secured her second clean sheet, form a robust defensive foundation for the Dash.
Washington Spirit’s Unbeaten Streak and Offensive Strength
The Washington Spirit approach the match unbeaten in their last nine outings, recently securing a 2-2 draw against Angel City FC. Trinity Rodman and Croix Bethune were instrumental in their attacking efforts, with Bethune capitalizing on a precise cross from Leicy Santos, the NWSL Player of the Week.
Ashley Hatch leads Washington with six goals this season, while Rosemonde Kouassi tops the assists with four. The defense, steered by goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury with seven clean sheets, and Tara McKeown with 116 clearances, is another key component of the Spirit’s strategy.
Previous Encounters and Future Fixtures
In their last showdown on March 17 at Shell Energy Stadium, the Dash fell 2-1 to the Spirit. Midfielder Maggie Graham made an impactful debut, scoring following an assist from Ryan Gareis. The match also marked the return of defender Katie Lind after her maternity leave.
Looking ahead, the Houston Dash will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3, for Space City Night against Orlando Pride, sponsored by Coushatta Casino Resort. To catch upcoming matches, fans can purchase tickets at Emegypt’s official website.
