Houston Dash vs Chicago Stars: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash beat the Chicago Stars 1-0 on Friday night to move closer to the playoff line.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 1-0 Chicago Stars FC
Friday, September 19, 2025
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Abdou Ndiaye
Assistants: Noah Kenyawani, Clarence Clark
Fourth Official: Jacobo Zuniga
VAR: Laura Rodriguez
Attendance: 5,307
Weather: 86 degrees, sunny
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Yazmeen Ryan (unassisted) 28’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
CHI: Sam Staab (caution; foul) 52’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (c) (Abby Smith 13’); Michelle Alozie (Allysha Chapman 80’), Paige Nielsen, Malia Berkley, Avery Patterson; Yazmeen Ryan, Danielle Colaprico, Sarah Puntigam, Kiki Van Zanten (Anna Heilferty 80’); Clarissa Larisey (Messiah Bright 45’), Delanie Sheehan
Unused substitutes: Evelina Duljan, Belle Briede, Christen Westphal, Katie Lind, Lisa Boattin
Total shots: 22
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 11
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 6
Saves: 6
Chicago Stars FC: Alyssa Naeher (c); Sam Angel (Camryn Biegalski 45’), Sam Staab (Nádia Gomes 90’ +1’), Kathrin Hendrich, Taylor Malham; Manaka Hayashi (Hannah Anderson 64’), Bea Franklin, Julia Grosso; Ludmila, Ally Schlegel, Jameese Joseph
Unused Substitutes: Mackenzie Wood, Leilanni Nesbeth, Halle Meckiewicz, Meg Boade, Ava Cook, Micayla Johnson
Total shots: 12
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 12
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 5
Saves: 5
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH FABRICE GAUTRAT
On the game:
"The result followed suit from the performance. I thought we were definitely the better team. It would have been nice to have two or three (more goals), especially in the first half. I thought we had some decent chances, but overall, really pleased for the team. I know Jane (Campbell) had to go down and Abby (Smith) stepped in. I thought (Smith) was fantastic”.
On the team’s growth:
“If you look at a lot of our lineups, they stay somewhat consistent. The relationship between players is really important. They are reading each other very well, transitioning, we're growing a lot in terms of our attacking transitions. If you look at the goal that Yazmeen (Ryan) scored, she's dribbling, she counter presses, wins it, and then creates that transition moment. That's something that I think we've definitely leveled up, and we've worked on it. So really, really happy for the team.”
On the differences in playing with a lead:
“In terms of just being defensively sound, especially in the second half. I thought we were quite solid. Maybe a couple of hairy moments, but outside of that, it says a lot. You got to be able to win both ways and you got to be able to compete both ways. So being up, we did it against San Diego. We now did it again against this opponent. It shows that we can also score, go up, and actually hold the lead. Which is a good thing.”
On increasing intensity for the end of the season:
“I wouldn't say stay where we are. We're going to look back at the film and see what we can improve on for sure. I thought there were some moments that were good and some moments that we need to improve on. For us, it's just constantly like, ‘okay, how do we keep getting better?’ But yeah, we're definitely going to have to play and compete against some really good teams and to get points against them is going to require us to continually level up.”
On bringing the momentum on the road:
"Our away form has been quite good this year, so I think for us, we want to continue that trend. We have, I think, nine days till our next game. So, we had a couple of illnesses and just with all the heavy travel, just having the next couple days off is going to be really important for our team to regroup, refresh, and then come ready to go next Tuesday.”
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD YAZMEEN RYAN
On the game:
“It’s always great to get three points, I’m super proud of the team for their defensive work and keeping a clean sheet. Everyone keeps us in games because we know that Chicago (Stars FC) has come back and had opportunities. I’m happy we got to shut them down.”
On the improvement of the team’s press”
“It's within our game plan, a lot of our goals come from our press, if not our counter press up high. That’s what’s working for us and that’s what gets us most of our opportunities. That is something we are going to keep up with.”
On the team’s offense:
“Even though we were up 1-0, teams have also had a history of coming back into games. Although we did well in our defensive work, putting away more goals and keeping possession of the ball in the second half. We tend to go on long a little early. If we can stay within our rhythm and treat it as if the score is still 0-0, the quality of our offense will continue to increase.”
On the new additions to the team:
“My role is where the team needs me to be. The new players who have come to the Dash have helped tremendously. Malia Barkley is good on the ball and she can find those long balls. I’m happy to have her on the team and continue to play with her. If we just keep adding pieces that help and the more that we keep the ball and connect, the better we are. We are good on the ball whenever we are doing one, two-touch passes and staying in the pocket.”
HOUSTON DASH DEFENDER MALIA BERKELY
On her debut:
“I am just really happy to be here. The team is great; the coaching staff is great. Honestly, everyone has been amazing and very welcoming, which has made this transition really easy. I am happy not only to get the start, but also to help earn the shutout and three points at such an important part of the season for us. Hopefully we can keep building on that and carry it into the postseason.”
On coming to Houston:
“Talking to Fabrice (Gautrat) and the staff about the style of play and the vision they have for this club over the next three to five years really spoke to me and made me want to be a part of it. From the start of the season until now you can see the growth this team has had on the field if you are watching from the outside, and I wanted to experience what it was like to be in that environment. You can tell players are happy to be here. They are growing on the field and off the field, and that is something I want to be part of as well.”
On the team’s response to the last game:
“This was a moment for us to really come together and show that every point matters in these games. Each one is important, and we have to fight for those three points if we want to move above the playoff line. This is a step in the right direction for us. We got the three points, and now we move on and focus on the next game.”
