Houston Dash at Washington Spirit: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash fell 4-0 to the Washington Spirit on Sunday afternoon in the nation’s capital.
MATCH SUMMARY
Washington Spirit 4-0 Houston Dash
Sunday, September 28, 2025
Venue: Audi Field - Washington, DC
Referee: Alexander Billeter
Assistants: A. Max Smith, Zen Cho
Fourth Official: Joe Surgan
VAR: Danielle Chesky
Attendance: 12,715
Weather: 80 degrees, sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
WAS: Gift Monday (Trinity Rodman) 18’
WAS: Gift Monday (unassisted) 21’
WAS: Gift Monday (Trinity Rodman) 36’
WAS: Sofia Cantore (Narumi Miura) 82’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
WAS: Gift Monday (caution; time wasting) 30’
HOU: Yazmeen Ryan (caution; foul) 45’+2’
HOU: Michelle Alozie (caution; foul) 50’
LINEUPS & STATS
Washington Spirit: Aubrey Kingsbury (C); Esme Morgan, Tara McKeown, Kysha Sylla (Kate Wiesner 65’), Gabrielle Carle (Brittany Ratcliffe 82’); Croix Bethune, Hal Hershfelt (Deborah Abiodun 45’), Leicy Santos (Narumi Miura 75’); Rosemonde Kouassi, Gift Monday (Sofia Cantore 45’), Trinity Rodman
Unused substitutes: Heather Stainbrook, Sandy MacIver
Total shots: 16
Shots on goal: 9
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 2
Houston Dash: Abby Smith; Allysha Chapman (Michelle Alozie 45’), Paige Nielsen (C), Malia Berkely, Avery Patterson; Yazmeen Ryan, Sarah Puntigam (Ryan Gareis 62’), Danielle Colaprico, Kiki van Zanten; Delanie Sheehan (Anna Heilferty 87’), Clarissa Larisey (Messiah Bright 62’)
Unused Substitutes: Liz Beardsley, Evelina Duljan, Christen Westphal, Katie Lind, Lisa Boattin
Total shots: 8
Shots on goal: 2
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 1
Saves: 5
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH FABRICE GAUTRAT
On the match:
“Obviously, it wasn’t a great game. I thought we were outdueled and outbattled in a lot of situations. We also have to give credit to the Washington Spirit, who played well. Their quality on the front line caused us a lot of issues. The second half was better for us, as we made a couple of changes and we neutralized them more and were able to create a few more chances in the attacking half. The first half was nowhere near good enough, and with the quality they have (on the field), it’s hard to come back from that position.”
On how the game will be assessed:
“Obviously, everything is still fresh. We don’t have video in front of us yet, so we will have to reassess. We have a quick turnaround, and the next game against the Orlando Pride is like a final for us. We have to come in with that mentality. The good news is that we still have four games left. Overall, there were a lot of areas where we were not at our best, and the Spirit was better in almost every category, which led to the lopsided result.”
On Paige Nielsen reaching 10,000 minutes and wearing the captain armband:
“Paige (Nielsen) is one of the originals. She has been in this league for a long time and has always been a real pro. She’s had a really strong second half of the season and is playing some of her best football. She’s a big part of our team and a great leader. She stepped in as captain today and continues to be a big part of what we do. So, we’re lucky to have her.”
On the mentality for playoffs:
“Everyone has the same objective of making the playoffs. The next two games are really important because they’re against direct contenders. For us, the next couple of matches are finals, so we have to keep approaching it one game at a time like we’ve been doing, but we definitely have to have a response against the Orlando Pride.”
On playing at home in the next match against Orlando Pride:
“Our home record has improved in the second half of the season, so we’re looking forward to hosting them. They’ve had some struggles, but they won their last game, which puts them back towards the top of the standings. For us, it’s a match we need to approach with everything we have.”
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD YAZMEEN RYAN
On silver linings following the match:
“It’s definitely tough. We knew they were going to be a good team, so we knew it was going to be a tough game, but at the end of the day we just need to come out better, faster and stronger, and that’s what they did. In the second half we started with more looks. In the first half, I thought for the first five or 10 minutes we were pressing and doing what we wanted in terms of the game plan, but then it broke down and couldn’t get back into shape. It’s important for us not to freak out. It’s not like this is it for us, as far as making the playoffs. We still have enough games to go, so we just need to keep moving forward, recognize what we need to do better and not put our heads down, because it’s not over.”
On her defensive involvement as a forward:
“With any defensive structure, especially with the forwards and wingers, our responsibility with pressing is important, and we all have to go together regardless of what we’re doing. But it’s about executing our roles individually at that point, and that’s something we can definitely get better at, which will ultimately help the team.”
On how she has coverted more opportunities in the second half of the season:
“It’s definitely great to be more clinical. Overall, we’ve started to gain momentum, and I think we still have it. We just need to make sure this loss doesn’t define the rest of the season. Being more clinical at the end of the day is what’s going to win us games and keep us in games. As long as we can convert the one or two chances we get, it can change the whole game. Being more clinical tonight was definitely needed, and it’s something we have to keep working on.”
On playing at home next match and pushing for the playoffs:
“We’ve been playing really well at home. I think we’ve definitely been on the front foot and putting teams on their heels, so I’m excited to go back and play in front of our fans. It also gives us a bit of a reset, lets us feel comfortable, and allows us to continue the momentum we’ve already built. We’re super excited to be at home. Regardless of the opponent, we’re really focused on pushing for the playoffs, so we have to dig deeper and try harder. Right now, it’s us against us, the only thing standing between making the playoffs and not is our own performance. When we’re on, we can be unstoppable, and that’s going to be key.”
