Houston Dash NWSL preview: Can Rachel Daly and Co. recapture 2020 Challenge Cup magic?

The National Women’s Soccer League preseason is wrapping up and the 12 clubs in the league are preparing for the eight-month grind with the Challenge Cup and the regular season looming. The 2022 Challenge Cup will kick off on March 18 with the cup final closing on May 7. Fans can watch the Challenge Cup opening weekend matches on Paramount+. For the full NWSL regular season schedule, click here.

After winning the inaugural 2020 Challenge Cup, head coach James Clarkson and his squad are trying to prove they can navigate a long season with a big payoff. The franchise is still looking to make its first-ever regular season playoff appearance after narrowly missing out last season. 

Let’s take a look at Houston Dash ahead of the 2022 NWSL season:

Offseason Overview

Finish in 2021: The club missed out on the playoffs with a seventh place finish. Houston held tiebreakers in the final week of the regular season and needed a result on Decision Day to ensure a spot in the playoffs, but its postseason hopes were dashed by the eventual champion Washington Spirit thanks to a Trinity Rodman goal with 14 minutes remaining. 

Biggest losses: The club lost Kristie Mewis via the expansion draft to San Diego Wave FC, but an immediate trade between San Diego and NJ/NY Gotham FC yielded the Dash $150,000 in allocation money. Mewis was previously signed with the Dash through 2023. Forward Jasmyne Spencer was also selected by Angel City FC in the the expansion draft. 

USWNT defender Abby Dahlkemper’s loan with the club concluded, and her rights were traded from her previous club (North Carolina Courage) to San Diego. Forward Veronica Latsko and defender Megan Montefusco were traded to OL Reign and Orlando Pride, respectively. Midfielder Gabby Kessler announced her retirement and assistant coach Twila Kilgore departed for a coaching role with the United States women’s national team.

Biggest acquisitions: In light of losing two attacking players in the expansion draft, the club announced the signing of Mexico international Maria Sanchez to a two-year deal. The team added another attacking piece with Argentine forward Paulina Gramaglia. The franchise also re-signed several key players to the roster, including goalkeeper Jane Campbell and Canadian forward Nichelle Prince.

Biggest Burning Question Entering 2022 Season

After winning the Challenge Cup in 2020 and finishing as runners-up during the 2020 Fall Series, the Dash struggled to navigate a long 2021 season and stay among the league’s top four — and ultimately missed out on securing one of the expanded playoff spots. The franchise has failed to make the playoffs since its introduction to the league in 2015, and the burning question remains: Will this be the year they break through into the NWSL postseason?

What they’re saying

Dash midfielder Shea Groom has been in the league for eight years and is entering her third year with the Houston Dash. Groom sat down with CBS Sports “Attacking Third” podcast to discuss the Dash and the build-up to the regular season with both new and familiar faces on the roster.

“Being a veteran player, I know what it’s like to be in the shoes of the players that are new to the team this year. So, being able to walk through that with them — one of the biggest pieces is just making them feel welcomed,” said Groom. 

“I’m really excited about this group. I think there’s a lot of great players on the team talent-wise but even more character-wise.”

Want more coverage of women’s soccer? Listen below and make sure to follow Attacking Third, A CBS Soccer Podcast devoted to bringing you everything you need to know from the NWSL and around the globe. 

Houston Dash Roster

The Houston Dash have a 26-player roster heading into the 2022 Challenge Cup. The midfielders lead the way with nine players listed at the position, pending a contract offer extended to non-roster invitee Cali Farquharson. College draft pick Ryan Gareis also signed a two-year contract with the club after being selected in the 2022 Draft. 

The club recently acquired Elizabeth Eddy ahead of the Challenge Cup. Canadian international and longtime midfielder Sophie Schmidt is now listed as a defender for the upcoming season. 

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jane Campbell, Ella Dederick, Lindsey Harris  

DEFENDERS (7): Michelle Alozie, Julia Ashley, Allysha Chapman, Haley Hanson, Katie Naughton, Annika Schmidt, Sophie Schmidt 

MIDFIELDERS (9): Hannah Diaz, Elizabeth Eddy, Cali Farquharson (COE) Shea Groom, Makamae Gomera-Stevens, Kelcie Hedge, Emily Ogle, Marisa Viggiano, Bri Visalli 

FORWARDS (7): Michaela Abam, Joelle Anderson, Rachel Daly (INTL), Ryan Gareis (CDP), Paulina Gramaglia (INTL), Nichelle Prince, María Sánchez 

Projected Finish

An attacking core featuring Rachel Daly, Nichelle Prince and Maria Sanchez has all the makings of the next exciting offense in the league, though the Dash will have to pick up points where they can when their national team players are on international duty in order to punch their ticket to the postseason.