Houston Dash Host Racing Louisville FC for Pups at the Pitch
NWSL Houston Dash

Houston Dash Host Racing Louisville FC for Pups at the Pitch

Published on April 2, 2026 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


HOUSTON - The Houston Dash kick off a three-match homestand on Friday, April 3, when they host Racing Louisville FC at 7:30 p.m. at Shell Energy Stadium. The club will celebrate the first of two Pups at the Pitch matches this season offering four-legged fans a dedicated seating section, a photo station, and treats courtesy of Doggie Express. Fans can also take advantage of the Easter Family 4 Pack for just $59 all-in, which includes four sideline seats and parking. A full overview can be found HERE.

The Dash are coming off a narrow 2-1 loss on the road against Angel City FC in a matchup between the league's final unbeaten teams. Houston opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a well-worked attacking sequence. Defender Avery Patterson delivered a cross into the box to forward Makenzey Robbe, who redirected the ball into the path of midfielder Maggie Graham for a composed finish and her first goal of the season. That match also saw Patterson earn her 50th regular season appearance.

The Dash removed midfielder Sophie Schmidt from the Season Ending Injury list earlier today and she will be eligible for selection on Friday. This would be Schmidt's first competitive match since suffering a knee injury against San Diego on Sept. 7, 2025.

Houston will look to earn its second home victory this season following their last home match on March 21, which drew 10,259 fans-the largest home opener crowd and the second-largest regular season crowd in team history. That 3-0 triumph over Boston Legacy FC also featured the Dash's second consecutive shutout by goalkeeper Jane Campbell,who was recently named to the U.S. Women's National Team roster for three friendlies against Japan later this month alongside Patterson

Houston's attack has been led by rookie Kat Rader, who paces the team with eight chances created and two goal contributions. The offense is also highlighted by midfielder Kiki Van Zanten, who recorded her first career brace in Houston's home opener. Rader and Van Zanten are two of eight Dash players set to depart for international duty during the upcoming FIFA window.

Racing Louisville FC enters this week's match still searching for its first win of the 2026 season following a 2-1 loss to Seattle Reign FC last weekend, a match that saw rookie Macy Blackburn score her first professional goal deep into stoppage time. Forward Emma Sears leads Louisville's attack with three goal contributions (one goal, two assists) and four chances created, while Kayla Fischer has added a goal and an assist along with a team-high seven chances created.

Racing Louisville head coach Bev Yanez enters her third season following a breakthrough 2025 campaign in which she guided the club to its first-ever NWSL playoff appearance and was named NWSL Coach of the Year. Louisville will look to build on that momentum as it closes out a two-game road stretch in Houston. The teams last met on August 24, 2025, at Lynn Family Stadium, where Houston scored a dramatic stoppage-time equalizer through forward Evelina Duljan to earn a 1-1 draw. That result extended Houston's unbeaten run to five matches

Eight Dash players will depart from Houston following Friday's match to join their respective national teams for the upcoming FIFA window. The team will return to league play after the break as they host the North Carolia Courage for Kids Night on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for kids under the age of 18 are available for just $5. Tickets for that match and all Houston Dash matches are available HERE via Tixr, the Club's official ticketing provider.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 2, 2026


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