Houston Dash vs Kansas City Current: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash earned a 1-0 win over the league-leading Kansas City Current on Saturday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 1-0 Kansas City Current
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Iryna Petrunok
Assistants: Fernando Fiero, Melissa Gonzalez
Fourth Official: Melvin Rivas
VAR: Anya Voigt
Attendance: 8,436
Weather: 86 degrees, clear skies
SCORING SUMMARY
HOU: Ryan Gareis (Yazmeen Ryan) 69’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
none
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell (c), Malia Berkley (Katie Lind 90+4’), Paige Nielsen, Avery Patterson, Lisa Boattin (Alysha Chapman 84’, Anna Heilferty 90+9’), Delanie Sheehan, Kiki Van Zanten (Ryan Gareis 67’), Sarah Puntigam (Michelle Alozie 84’), Danielle Colaprico, Messiah Bright (Clarissa Larisey 66’), Yazmeen Ryan
Unused substitutes: Belle Briede, Abby Smith, Chloe Ricketts
Total shots: 6
Shots on goal: 3
Fouls: 6
Offside: 0
Corner kicks: 4
Saves: 6
Kansas City Current: Lorena, Izzy Rodriguez, Gabby Robinson, Kayla Sharples (Alex Pfeiffer 84’), Hailie Mace, Claire Hutton, Lo LaBonta (Rocky Rodriguez 84’), Debinha (Ally Sentnor 66’), Michelle Cooper (Haley Hopkins 66’), Temwa Chawinga (Nichelle Prince 29’), Bia Zaneratto
Unused Substitutes: Ellie Wheeler, Elizabeth Ball, Mary Long, Laurel Ivory
Total shots: 20
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 8
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 8
Saves: 2
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH FABRICE GAUTRAT
On the match:
“We had a great result and good performance. Limiting Kansas City to 1.24 expected goals is a good thing. We defended very well, and the goal we scored reflected a lot of what we worked on in practice. The players who were subbed in really helped lift the team and carry the win for us.”
On the game plan”
“We had to adjust a little towards the end because they were overloading our backline. We went to five (defenders) for the last 5 to 10 minutes, which worked well. We knew the spaces we wanted to attack and had really good buildups. We could have hurt them a little more in the first half, but overall, it was a solid performance.”
On what to take into next season:
“There’s a lot to build on. It takes a lot of time to bring a group together, and we have a really good foundation here. Regardless of what happens this year, we will hit the ground running when we start next year. Tonight, Ryan (Garies) scored her first goal of the season, and she was a great sub in.”
On the impact of winning the last home match:
“I mentioned it on the field to the players, what vision or image do you want the fans to leave with about your performance. We wanted to make sure we were fighting for every duel and that we stayed united to honor the crest - the team really did that tonight. I’m really proud of them and everything they gave.”
HOUSTON DASH DEFENDER PAIGE NIELSEN
On the win:
“We got a win. Let's go. I'm super excited and proud of this group. We've been through a lot this season. There's been ups and downs. We were joking with losses, ties, ties that felt like losses because we really needed three points. This is just a testament to who we are as a team and who we can be. This league is crazy. The bottom team can beat the top at any given moment. It was a great team performance. Offensively, we were able to break them. Hopefully we can continue to grow on that defensively. We're super sound. Everyone that came off the bench was throwing their bodies. We had a few staple stitches, but that's what it takes to beat the top team in this league. I couldn't be more happy with the result."
On the team’s defense:
“Chawinga is super-fast and talented with her feet. She brings a different dynamic to Kansas City (Current). I had to protect the space from behind. You definitely have to worry about her. The game plan was Avery (Patterson) being a little bit more defensive on the right side and blocking the outside channel. We were double teaming, but she was still releasing to the outside back. When she did go out, we felt a little more freedom to play outside because her counter pressing ability is really good. So, we were able to play out. Defensively, we felt a little more comfortable, but again, throughout the season we’ve grown so much. The communication we have, Lisa (Boattin) communicating even if she’s new to the team. Avery’s grown so much, and Malia (Berkley) came in and had one of their best defensive games. Now we're really taking pride in our defense; we struggled at the beginning of the year. We were mostly possession oriented, but now we're anything that gets in our box; we're bumping runners, we're yelling and screaming at each other with urgency and really protecting our net. It was a really good defensive performance all across the field, our pressure on the ball, our attack up the field was very good. At the end of the game, we went into a five back and we were trying to protect the lead and that's how you game manage. That's how we can grow more in game management.”
On where the team can continue to grow:
“We can continue to grow in our possession and our attack. We get into the final third a lot, but we have to look at how do we create better chances. In a lot of games, we’ve had to protect a 1-0 lead or fight back for a goal, but if we can start scoring early and keep the pressure on offensively, I think it’ll take some weight off our defensive end. We’re going to keep growing in our on-field relationships, and the final third is always the hardest part of soccer. Our goal tonight was a testament to what we’ve been working on. People were filling out the lanes; we had someone in the center lane, someone out wide, and then Ryan (Gareis) flying in with (Yazmeen) Ryan sliding in the back. That’s what we’ve been working on all year, and we’ll continue to grow there.”
On her message to the fans:
“First, thank you to the fans for continuing to show up every single game and going through the ups and downs with us. You know, we're out there fighting every single day at training, in the game, and we had a lot of growing pains this year. But for our fans to continue to show up and believe in us. I think you'll see a different side next year, more consistent and I'm really excited for what we're building here.”
On defending set pieces:
“We've been working on defending corners and defending the box a lot. And, you know, we don't have the tallest team, so, really making it very difficult for the runners. Our man-to-man marking on the corners was outstanding. They were pushing people away from the goal, which is which is our priority. Jane (Campbell) rocked it and came out for some big corners in the air. It was really down to our man marking. When they went to the near post, we put all of our bodies there and we just wanted to get it out. So yeah, proud of the group.”
On the impact Jane Campbell has on the team:
“Having Jane (Campbell) in the goal is great and Abby (Smith) is great too. They're both crazy leaders in the back, and it's nice as a defender to have someone like to have your back. When you see Jane coming out for a big save, you're going to do everything you can to slide and be together as one. It's inspiring if a defender makes a huge tackle because you want to make next tackle, that's what the D unit is. We are like a family because we protect each other, and it sets a tone for the rest of us going to Portland.”
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD YAZMEEN RYAN
On Ryan Gareis’ goal:
“We felt like there was a decent amount of space. Delanie (Sheehan) was wide open when she got that ball. I was wide open when she passed it to me. It was just a matter of taking that space and really attacking with speed. We know that they commit a lot of numbers high. So, we had good moments to create opportunities in transition. I don't remember how Delaney got the ball, but I just knew we were pretty wide open, and then for Sarah (Puntigam), Clarissa (Larisey) and Ryan (Gareis) to get in the box. For them to match my speed on the ball says a lot, and it shows a lot of growth in the fact that we were able to score a goal like that. Ryan, what an amazing finish. So, composed. She just got in the game and was able to put that away, no problem. That's what she's been doing all season. I'm just literally so happy.”
On the positives and negatives of the season:
“Coming back after the break was probably the highlight of our season. We ended up tying a decent amount of those games. Compared to not getting a tie or the win that we needed in the first half of the season. You could really feel our momentum picking up. The way that we were playing, especially defensively, allowed us to stay in these games and figure out what it means for us to do everything as one unit. The highlight was the whole second half of how we were able to play and just really embrace our identity, and also show that on the field, and not be scared of any opponent. I felt like we really tried to continue to be a pressing team, no matter who we played, and to really focus on ourselves. We want to do that next season, starting off on the front foot in the first half, so that way we're not catching up, or have to be in this position where we have to rely on other games. This is a really solid foot forward to showcase what the Houston Dash are going to be, and as a player, that's all you can ask for is to progress and that's exactly what we're doing.”
On the process of building a culture:
“It definitely takes time. At the beginning of the season, the process might have taken a little longer than we wanted, but it's important to regroup and bounce back. Our culture, how we organized as a team and come together, is what's going to help us be a winning team. We were one of the best teams in the second half of the season. There are plenty of stats showing that if this had (this momentum) in the beginning of the season, we would be in second or third place. Our culture is super solid because we emphasized that and really leaned on each other as players and staff. Just talking and figuring out what we need to do, but we always felt that support from one another. This has definitely been the best culture I've seen at a team that I've been on, so far.”
On balancing her commitments with the U.S. Women’s National Team:
“It can be difficult coming in and out, especially when it’s your first year on a new team. But with Houston, it’s honestly been pretty easy to figure out what I need to do individually to help the team. I’m just trying my best to contribute, creating chances as an attacking player and helping defensively. The way this team is constructed has made it pretty easy to come in and out.”
