NWSL Houston Dash

MATCH Preview: Houston Dash Face Expansion Side Bay FC at PayPal Park

March 29, 2024 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


Houston hits the road for the second time this season and heads west for the first of two meetings with expansion side Bay FC this season. Houston will be the first opponent Bay FC hosts at PayPal Park, with the match scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. CT.

The Dash enter the match following a strong defensive performance at home last Saturday against Racing Louisville FC. Campbell made a career-high 10 saves on Saturday night to ensure the team's first shutout of the season. The Dash goalkeeper made eight saves in the first half and tallied her 31st clean sheet in league play.

Defender Sarah Puntigam made a key goal line save in the final moments of the second half on Saturday to preserve the draw. That save earned Puntigam the NWSL Impact Save of the Week award. The defender played a key role in Houston's defensive efforts last season that limited opponents to the lowest goals allowed average in league play.

Saturday night also saw several firsts for a trio of new additions for the Dash. Forward Yuki Nagasato, who joined the Dash as a free agent during the offseason, made her first start for the team and played 62 minutes. Amanda West, selected with the No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, made her professional debut. She entered the match at the start of the second half and finished with two shots. Swedish international Elin Rubensson made her NWSL debut in the 62nd minute of the game. The midfielder joined the Dash earlier this month following a transfer from BK Häcken in Sweden.

Bay FC enters their home opener with a 1-1-0 (WLD) record. Bay FC dropped three points on the road last Saturday after conceding a late goal to Washington Spirit rookie Croix Bethune. Bay scored the opening goal of the match in the 11th minute after forward Dorian Bailey found the bottom corner of the near post. Washington equalized 12 minutes later and secured three points with virtually the last kick of the game.

Saturday's match marks the sixth time that Houston will face an expansion team in league play for the first time. Houston's last debut match against an expansion side finished in a 0-0 draw against Angel City FC in Southern California on June 7, 2022.

The Dash will celebrate their 10th anniversary on April 12, when they host the Washington Spirit at Shell Energy Stadium. Houston was awarded the first expansion team in the NWSL on Dec. 12, 2013, and began play in the 2014 NWSL regular season. The team made their debut on April 12, 2014, when they hosted Portland Thorns FC in Houston.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from March 29, 2024


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