Houston Dash Face Washington Spirit in Critical Matchup This Weekend

HOUSTON (Sept. 27, 2025) – The Houston Dash travel to the nation’s capital this weekend to face the Washington Spirit in a pivotal late-season matchup at Audi Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, Sept. 28, and fans can follow the match live.

With five matches remaining in the regular season, the Dash sit just two points below the playoff line and are eager to secure a postseason berth. They enter the match following a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Stars FC at Shell Energy Stadium, marking the team’s fourth clean sheet of the season. Forward Yazmeen Ryan scored the game-winner, contributing to her fourth goal in the last six matches.

Ryan has tallied a remarkable 25 goal contributions across all competitions since the start of the 2024 season. With 13 goals and 12 assists, her total is the highest among American players in the NWSL during this timeframe, according to OPTA. Previously, she played for NJ/NY Gotham FC, where she contributed to goals in league play, the playoffs, and two international tournaments, including a hat trick against Frazsiers Whip in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup. Since joining the Dash in December 2024, Ryan has recorded six goal contributions (four goals and two assists) in regular-season play.

Last week’s victory also saw defender Malia Berkey make her debut in the starting lineup for the Dash. Berkely, who joined from the North Carolina Courage on Sept. 12, helped her former team reach the postseason in consecutive seasons. Another new addition, defender Anna Heilferty, made her first appearance after joining as a trialist earlier this summer. She signed a short-term contract through the end of the 2025 season.

Defensively, the Dash were strong, led by Paige Nielsen, who had seven clearances against the Stars, bringing her total to 144 this season, the highest on the team. Goalkeeper Abby Smith made six saves and earned her second clean sheet with the Dash. Nielsen is also on the verge of a career milestone, just six minutes away from surpassing 10,000 regular-season minutes in the NWSL, an achievement only 64 other players have reached.

The Spirit enter the match unbeaten in their last nine games, recently drawing 2-2 with Angel City FC. Forward Trinity Rodman scored the opener, and Croix Bethune equalized in the second half thanks to a cross from Leicy Santos, who earned NWSL Player of the Week honors for her efforts.

Washington’s attack features Ashley Hatch, the team’s top scorer with six goals this season, while Rosemonde Kouassi leads in assists with four. The Spirit defense is led by goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury, who has secured seven clean sheets, alongside Tara McKeown, who tops the team in clearances with 116.

The last encounter between the two teams saw the Dash suffer a 2-1 defeat at Shell Energy Stadium during their home opener on March 17. Midfielder Maggie Graham scored in her professional debut during that match, and defender Katie Lind made her return after missing the 2024 season due to maternity leave.

Following Sunday’s match, Houston will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, Oct. 3, to host the Orlando Pride for an exciting matchup, presented by Coushatta Casino Resort. Tickets for that match and all Dash games are available now.