Grading the primary transfer window for the Houston Dash
(image via Houston Dash)
The primary NWSL transfer window ended on Friday, April 19, 2024, and final transfers were finalized these last days. The Dash made a lot of moves to overhaul their squad this offseason and into the early weeks of the season. We’re breaking down the moves at each position and the overall impact the transfer will have on the team.
Goalkeepers
In: Heather Hinz
Out: Emily Alvarado, Devon Kerr, Ella Dederick
Rating: A
There are no main issues in the goalkeeper department. Jane Campbell was awarded as the best goalkeeper in the NWSL for 2023 and she continues to perform at a high level this season, despite the team giving up a bunch of goals. Emily Alvarado became surplus for the team and was traded to Portland on deadline day while the Dash kept Savannah Madden, who is active with recent call-ups to the Peru national team. Heather Hinz was a draft pick in 2024 who can continue to grow with the staff and as an understudy to Campbell.
Defenders
In: Paige Nielsen, Tarciane, Croix Soto
Out: Caprice Dydasco, Madelyn Desiano, Ally Prisock, Lindsi Jennings
Rating: C
Before deadline day, I would’ve easily given this position an F due to key defenders leaving, the injuries to some players, and some out on maturity leave. The deadline day transfers will bring life to this team and defense. Nielsen is a seasoned defender who was relied on a lot in her time at Angel City FC and can be a leader in the Dash backline. The main headline was the transfer record for Tarciane, a 20-year-old defender from Brazil who comes in with a high ceiling. She is the new mainstay for Brazil on the backline and has won championships with Corinthians.
Midfielders
In: Yuki Nagasato, Avery Patterson, Kiki Van Zanten, Belle Briede, Elin Rubensson
Out: Joelle Anderson, Shea Groom, Emily Curran, Marisa DiGrande, Makamae Gomera-Stevens
Rating: B+
I believe this is where the Dash made a huge improvement overall, signing quality midfielders to help the team. The main highlight signing was Elin Rubensson, who has a great track record of being an all-around midfielder that can recover the ball and make progressive runs and passes. Draft picks Avery Patterson and Kiki Van Zanten came to the club and instantly made an impact to the point that Patterson is now a mainstay in the starting eleven. Briede and Yuki come in to support the midfield and offer quality on the bench or in the starting eleven, when needed.
Forwards
In: Cece Kizer, Amanda West, Ramona Bachmann
Out: Maria Sanchez, Nichelle Prince, Cameron Tucker
Rating: C
The early storyline was getting Kizer back with the trade of Prince going to KC. Many fans were shocked and saddened to see Prince go but getting Kizer is a big addition. Everything was overshadowed by the transfer of Maria Sanchez to the San Diego Wave just months after she signed to huge new contract with the Dash. We haven’t seen Bachmann on the pitch yet. West and Kizer have shown some glimpses of their quality on the field in limited minutes. Time will tell how they can integrate and step up with the departure of Sanchez.
Overall
Rating: B
At the beginning of the window, it seemed that the roster was heavy on one side, in the attack, and lacking depth on the other, on defense. The deadline day transfers brought life to this team that needed a shot in the arm. So far, the team has struggled defensively, but with the new additions to the back line and the support from the other positions to supply the attacking football that head coach Fran Alonso wants, it can still be an exciting season in 2024.
