Houston Dash start 2026 season with road win in San Diego
(image via San Diego Wave FC)
The Houston Dash traveled to Southern California to begin the 2026 NWSL season with a match against San Diego Wave FC. Head coach Fabrice Gautrat, in his second season, started four rookies in the starting eleven while keeping players like Yazmeen Ryan, Delanie Sheehan, and Kiki Van Zanten on the bench. Leah Klenke started at left back, Kat Rader and Linda Ullmark started in midfield, and Kate Faasse got the call up front.
Houston came into this match with some confidence after winning 3-0 at Snapdragon Stadium last season. San Diego, however, came out on the front foot early, controlling possession and getting four shots away before the Dash were able to get any.
In the 28th minute, the Dash’s rookies nearly combined to open the scoring. Ullmark found space near the top of the box and her shot back across goal came off the far post. Ullmark chased down the rebound and played a ball back in front of goal. It was deflected to Faasse but her shot was right at Wave goalkeeper Didi Haracic.
As the game looked to be headed to halftime scoreless, the Dash found a breakthrough. Midfielder Maggie Graham played ball over the top, from her own half, for Makenzy Robbe to run onto. The veteran striker got to the ball first and got into the box to slide her shot in past Haracic at the back post to make the score 1-0 in the 7th minute of first half stoppage time.
The second half was all about San Diego looking for an equalizer while Jane Campbell made sure they were unable to.
Campbell made a huge save in the 64th minute, diving to her left to push a Ludmila shot over the bar. The Wave continued to do what their namesake suggests, sending multiple attacks at Campbell and the Houston defense.
As San Diego continued to push forward, Campbell made save after save to keep the Wave off the scoresheet. In the final minutes is was all San Diego as the Dash continued to boot the ball up the field when they were able to gain possession.
Houston was able to manage the game perfectly through a long second half stoppage time. The full time whistle blew and the Dash earned their first-ever season opening road win with a 1-0 victory.
The Dash will return to Shell Energy Stadium for their home opener on March 21 when they will host expansion club Boston Legacy FC.
