
Houston Dash Sign USL Super League Player of the Year Emina Ekić
Published on April 28, 2026 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release
HOUSTON - The Houston Dash announced today the signing of midfielder Emina Ekić through the 2027 NWSL season and the contract includes a mutual option for 2028. The 26-year-old joins the Dash following a transfer from Lexington SC in the USL Super League.
Ekić scored two goals and tallied four assists for Lexington last season. The midfielder spent the 2024/2025 season with Spokane Zephyr FC, where she earned USL Super League Player of the Year honors in the inaugural campaign. Ekić scored the first goal in club history and was named to the All-League First Team. She led the team with 10 goals and six assists during the 2024/2025 season with Spokane.
The Louisville native began her professional career in Kentucky after being selected fifth overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft by Racing Louisville FC. She made her NWSL debut on April 10, 2021, and led the team to their first ever victory on May 21. The midfielder scored a goal and tallied an assist in the historic 2-0 victory over the Washington Spirit. Her goal against the Spirit was also the first regular season goal in Racing Louisville history.
In 2022, Ekić joined Melbourne City FC on loan in Australia's A-League Women before signing a two-year contract with the club. She recorded 12 goals across 27 appearances during her time in Australia and helped the club reach the 2023/2024 Cup Final.
At the international level, Ekić represents Bosnia and Herzegovina, making her senior debut in 2023. She has since competed in UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying campaigns. The midfielder scored her first international goal in 2024 and recorded a brace on March 7, 2026, before adding another goal on April 18, 2026, against Liechtenstein in pair of 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying matches.
At the University of Louisville, Ekić made an immediate impact, earning ACC Co-Freshman of the Year honors in 2017 after leading the team with seven goals. She continued to build on that success with All-ACC First Team recognition in 2018, a career-high eight goals in 2019 and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2020.
National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 28, 2026
- Washington Spirit to Face Louisville in Yellow Out at Audi Field - Washington Spirit
- Angel City Defender Savy King Announced as 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominee by the National Women's Soccer League - Angel City FC
- Chicago Stars FC Goalkeeper Katie Atkinson Wins National Women's Soccer League Save of the Week - Chicago Stars FC
- Hannah Bebar Honored as Bay FC Nominee for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide, for Commitment to Expanding Access to Sports for Bay Area Girls - Bay FC
- Gotham FC Travels to Chicago for Midweek Clash - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- What to Watch for as Racing Visits Washington - Racing Louisville FC
- San Diego Wave FC Defender Nya Harrion Nominated for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - San Diego Wave FC
- Courage Face Boston Legacy in First Meeting with the Expansion Club - North Carolina Courage
- Washington Spirit Names Leicy Santos Club's Nominee for Lauren Holiday Impact Award - Washington Spirit
- Defender Tierna Davidson Nominated by Gotham FC for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award - NJ/NY Gotham FC
- Seattle Reign FC Announces Cassie Miller as Nominee for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Seattle Reign FC
- Aria Nagai's Impact Beyond the Pitch: URFC's 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominee - Utah Royals FC
- Bella Bixby Named Portland Thorns Nominee for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award - Portland Thorns FC
- Fauzia Najjemba Annouced as Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominee - Boston Legacy FC
- Houston Dash Nominate Midfielder Kiki Van Zanten for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Houston Dash
- Chicago Stars FC Names Katie Atkinson Nominee for 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, Presented by Nationwide - Chicago Stars FC
- Bay FC Promotes Bernard Gutmann to President and Chief Financial Officer - Bay FC
- Jordyn Bloomer Is Racing Louisville's 2026 Lauren Holiday Impact Award Nominee - Racing Louisville FC
- Houston Dash Sign USL Super League Player of the Year Emina Ekić - Houston Dash
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Houston Dash Stories
- Houston Dash Drop Points in Utah
- Houston Dash Hit the Road for a Midweek Clash against Utah Royals FC
- Houston Dash Hit the Road for a Midweek Clash against Utah Royals FC
- Houston Dash Midfielder Kiki Van Zanten Named to April Best XI of the Month, Presented by Amazon Prime
- Houston Dash Earn Third Clean Sheet of the Season


