Houston Dash 2025 player report cards: Kiki Van Zanten
(image via Houston Dash)
We’re continuing our 2025 report card series, recapping each Houston Dash player’s season. Next up, we look at midfielder Kiki Van Zanten.
2025 Grade: B-
2025 by the numbers (NWSL play)
Appearances: 17
Minutes played: 1,107
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
(image via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
2025 in review
Kiki Van Zanten’s season followed a comeback-player-of-the-year type narrative, returning to the Dash and delivering solid, reliable minutes across 13 starts. Her two goals and one assist were respectable given her deeper midfield role, where she had fewer opportunities to push forward. One of her biggest strengths was her ability to float into support pockets, especially when Avery Patterson drifted higher up the field, helping maintain balance in transition. While her successful take-ons (0.98 per 90) fell slightly below league average, that reflects more on her individual profile than on Fabrice Gautrat’s system. Defensively, she impressed both statistically and by the eye test—tracking back with intensity and showing real tenacity, especially after Barbra Olivieri’s departure. That work rate makes her an excellent fit for Gautrat’s structure moving forward.
Offensively, she showed promising flashes that hint at a higher ceiling. Her first NWSL goal, against Bay FC, came from smart positioning as she found herself unmarked in a dangerous pocket, while her second—a 25-yard rocket against the NC Courage—was a highlight-reel strike. She has a natural sense for finding space to shoot, and if she leans into that more consistently, she could become a genuine two-way threat in the midfield.
Moment of the season
Van Zanten’s goal against the North Carolina Courage was a stunning strike — the kind a goalkeeper has no chance of stopping. She curled the ball into the top corner with ease, and given it was one of just two goals she scored this season, it was certainly a memorable one to witness.
Looking forward
Van Zanten signed a contract extension last December that will keep her with the Dash through 2026 with a mutual option for 2027. She emerged as the starting left midfielder for most of this season and should go into next season penciled in as the starter in that role. With her defensive reliability and emerging attacking confidence, Van Zanten looks poised to take another step next season.