Houston Dash at Boston Legacy FC: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via NWSL)
Messiah Bright scored late in the second half to give the Houston Dash a 2-1 road win over Boston Legacy on Sunday afternoon.
MATCH SUMMARY
Boston Legacy FC 1-2 Houston Dash
Sunday, September 20, 2026
Venue: Centreville Bank Stadium - Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Referee: Brad Jensen
Assistants: Jake Brochu, Sharon Gingrich
Fourth Official: Walterson Torchon
VAR: Jaime Padilla
Attendance: not announced
Weather: 62 degrees, rain
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Danny Colaprico (unassisted) 44’
BOS: Aissata Traore (Nicki Hernandez) 59’
HOU: Messiah Bright (Khyah Harper) 85’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
BOS: Aissata Traore (caution; foul) 24’
LINEUPS & STATS
Boston Legacy FC: Casey Murphy; Deja Davis, Jorelyn Carabali, Bianca St Georges; Nicki Hernandez (Lilly Reale 82’), Barbara Olivieri, Annie Karich, Alba Caño, Aïssata (Amanda Gutierres 60’); Nichelle Prince, Sarah Schupansky(Aleigh Gambone 82’)
Unused substitutes: Laurel Ivory, Lais Araujo, Joesefine Hasbo, Amanda Allen, Ella Stevens, Samantha Smith
Total shots: 22
Shots on goal: 11
Fouls: 10
Offside: 2
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 4
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (c); Lisa Boattin, Leah Klenke, Paige Nielsen, Avery Patterson; Maggie Graham, Danny Colaprico; Milijana Ivanović (Khyah Harper 74’), Kat Rader (Sophie Schmidt 85’), Kiki Van Zanten (Messiah Bright 74’); Kate Faasse (Clarissa Larisey 45’)
Unused Substitutes: Caroline DeLisle, Allysha Chapman, Natalie Hammond, Cate Hardin, Jordan Brewster
Total shots: 14
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 10
Offside: 2
Corner kicks: 2
Saves: 10
HOUSTON DASH INTERIM HEAD COACH JAIME FRIAS
On the match:
"Like I told the team, it was a testament to the leadership that we had throughout the week. It wasn't an easy week for any of us. It was going to take all of us to get something out of today. The buy-in that we had from the players, the effort, the attitude, the communication, the competitiveness that was needed to win today was there. I'm just really proud of the group."
On Danny Colaprico’s first goal for the club:
"That goal was a long time coming for her (Danny Colaprico). She had opportunities near and around the box. It came out of a second phase of a set play, a rebound, and we were all very happy for that ball to go in, not only for Danny but for the team."
On Messiah Bright’s game-winning goal:
"That's Messiah's (Bright) bread and butter. She's one of the best players on our team in and around the box, especially with elevated balls. So as soon as that ball went into the box in the air, we knew if she can get to it, she was going to make something out of it, and she did. We're all really just happy for Messi getting that goal and getting us the win."
On the upcoming road match against Portland Thorns:
"First of all it's just rest and recover. Getting their (the players) bodies back to a place where we can compete against a very tough Portland (Thorns FC) team. They're one of the better teams in the league for a reason. So, they're going to present some challenges that are going to be tough for us. We have to make sure that our game plan sets us up for success this upcoming weekend."
HOUSTON DASH MIDFIELDER DANNY COLAPRICO
On the match:
"I'm just so proud of this group. We worked so hard all week. We've really come together, and the emphasis was on us this week, and we really showed that tonight. So really proud of the group."
On her first goal with the Dash:
"Obviously exciting to get a goal. Anything I can do to help the team. I was just lucky enough to be the one that was right there to put it in the back of the net. It just comes from us being on the front foot all game and that really helped us get the win."
On Messiah Bright’s game-winning goal:
"I'm so happy for her (Messiah Bright), the first thing I said to her was, I'm so proud of you. She's worked so hard all year and to get her moment in the game and put the ball in the back of the net is huge. That just shows what great players can do."
On the upcoming road match against Portland Thorns:
"Long stretch ahead, we're going to carry this momentum into the next one. That's what we wanted to start here tonight. Headed into Portland, that's our next opponent, and we're just focused on that and getting three points."
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD MESSIAH BRIGHT
On the match:
"It was a really uphill battle. It's not the same team (Boston Legacy FC) that we played at the beginning of the season, but I think the team did a really good job of starting strong in the first half as well as going in again in the second half. I'm just really proud of the group and how we finished out the game on that."
On Danny Colaprico’s first goal with the club:
"We're super excited for Danny (Colaprico). It's her first club goal with the club. It was just super exciting being on the sideline as well and just channeling energy both on the field and off the field. We could just really feel the connection within the group. So, we're super ecstatic for her."
On her game-winning goal:
"I always try to do whatever I can for the team. In that moment, getting a goal was the only thing on my mind, trying to be the one to put it in the back of the net. Khyah (Harper) is also a great facilitator on the ball when it comes to crosses in the box. I just wanted to make sure that I could be that big presence in there as well and just getting it within the frame of the goal. Thinking about it again and just seeing it obviously it was over the line and when I did see it but just cushioning it and making sure that we had that tap in and putting it away, it was also exciting."
On the upcoming road match against Portland Thorns:
"We're happy for the win. We'll hold on to it and just take it all in, but we have a really big game against Portland (Thorns FC), just channeling this energy and just taking it into the next game and using this momentum that we have. Portland is going to be a really hard team to compete with, especially at their home turf. So just remaining focused and staying true to who we are and with Jaime (Frias), with the group and just focusing on our tactics. We'll be prepared when the time comes."
