Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash were officially eliminated from playoff contention after a 3-2 loss against the Washington Spirit on Sunday night at Shell Energy Stadium.
MATCH SUMMARY
Houston Dash 2-3 Washington Spirit
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Venue: Shell Energy Stadium - Houston, Texas
Referee: Jaclyn Metz
Assistants: Katarzyna Wasiak, Colin Ashley
Fourth Official: Amin Hadzic
VAR: Matthew Corrigan
Assistant VAR: Brian Marshall
Attendance: 7,917
Weather: 75 degrees, cloudy
SCORING SUMMARY
WAS: Tara Rudd (Esme Morgan) 11’
HOU: Miljana Ivanovic (unassisted) 44’
WAS: Sofia Cantore (Trinity Rodman) 51’
HOU: Miljana Ivanovic (unassisted) 59’
WAS: Clara Luvanga (Claudia Martinez) 84’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
HOU: Clarissa Larisey (caution; foul) 86’
LINEUPS & STATS
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell ©; Lisa Boattin (Messiah Bright, 85’), Leah Klenke, Paige Nielsen, Avery Patterson; Sarah Puntigam (Cate Hardin, 70’), Maggie Graham; Miljana Ivanovic (Clarissa Larisey, 70’), Kat Rader, Kiki Van Zanten (Khyah Harper, 60’); Kate Faasse (Sophie Schmidt, 46’)
Unused substitutes: Caroline DeLisle, Allysha Chapman, Natalie Hammond, Jordan Brewster
Total shots: 13
Shots on goal: 6
Fouls: 9
Offside: 3
Corner kicks: 7
Saves: 5
Washington Spirit: Sandy Maclver; Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan, Tara Rudd, Lucia Di Guglielmo; Hal Hershfelt (Monique Ngock, 66’), Andi Sullivan ©; Trinity Rodman, Melissa Bethi (Clara Luvanga, 66’), Ashley Hatch (Claudia Martinez, 76’); Sofia Cantore (Rose Kouassi, 66’)
Unused Substitutes: Sara Wojdelko, Élisabeth Tsé, Tamara Bolt, Paige Metayer, Madison Haugen
Total shots: 25
Shots on goal: 8
Fouls: 4
Offside: 1
Corner kicks: 11
Saves: 4
HOUSTON DASH INTERIM HEAD COACH JAIME FRIAS
On the match:
“This game was exactly what we thought we were going to get out of them (Washington Spirit), and the kind of match it was going to be. They're a very attacking-minded team, and they did an excellent job pinning us back for the majority of the first half. We couldn't get out of our own half. We defended our tails off, ended up getting a goal, left the half with 1-1, which was really (good). We tweaked some things within our defensive shape that allowed us to press a little bit better, press a little bit higher, and make it a little bit more predictable for ourselves. As you can see in the second half, we had more territorial advantages, meaning that we were in their half a little bit more, creating more chances. At the end of the day, when you go for it when you need it, when you know you need points. There arerisks that you're willing to take or that you need to try to get something out of the game. They're a very good team that exposed us to those risks that we took. But I'm really proud of the second half. We can hang our hats on that half, and we keep moving forward. Now we keep stacking, even though we're out of the playoffs, keep stacking on that performance and representing ourselves and our city in the best way we can, especially in front of our home fans.”
On Miljana Ivanovic:
“That was a long time coming for Milly (Miljana Ivanović). If you watch her in training, she's always scoring those kinds of goals. She's consistent. We knew that in the positions that she was getting in previous games, that she was getting quality chances off, and it was just a matter of her continuing her form. Those quality chances turned into goals (brace) today. We weren't at least a bit surprised, and we're really happy for her. She is the first Serbian player to score in the league, which we were really happy about, and now she can go with her national team full of confidence.”
On Jane Campbell:
“What a leader. Everyone sees what she's (Jane Campbell) on the field with as far as her performance, but what few people see is how impactful she is off the field in the locker room behind the scenes to keep this team moving forward and moving together. She truly is the embodiment of a captain. We could have really folded a long time ago, but because of her and her leadership and the leadership group that we have, she kept this group moving forward, fighting tooth and nail until the very end. So, all the credit goes to the players, and particularly her.”
On what the team needs the most from an interim head coach:
“They (Houston Dash) need what any other team needs, regardless of the state of the team. It's encouragement, it's belief in them, an ability to instill confidence so they can perform to the best of our ability. I think as coaches, that's what we're trying to do. The tactics are the tactics, and I think we can. Each coach has a different opinion on how the game should be played, but at the end of the day, a team that's confident, that's on the front foot, that believes in themselves, is a different team than one that is not. That's what we've tried to do the last few weeks as an interim.”
HOUSTON DASH GOALKEEPER JANE CAMPBELL
On the match:
“It’s a bittersweet game. Now, we’re officially out (of playoff contention). That’s just heartbreaking in general. Credit to DC (Washington Spirit) they’re a really good team. Where they are on the table is very much deserved from them. I think for us we really tried to give it our all these last few games. Our goal was to win out andhopefully make a push to get above that line. The team (Houston Dash) really showed some exciting moments tonight. I’m proud of that. I’m proud of them. We just came up short. It’s a bittersweet result.”
On what she wants from the team as they navigate the final stretch:
“The goal remains the same although we can’t make the playoffs now, but we still want to win out. We want to get this club as close to that playoff line as possible now. We set out at the beginning of the season. Even in the middle of the season, we regrouped for the same meeting we had at the beginning of the season. Our goals remained the same. We were really dialed in and focused on that. Although we can’t make the goal of going to playoffs. I think the attitude and the mentality still remains. There’s still nine points out on the board available for us to win. If we win out, we can check that box off our list saying that we achieved that goal. I’m proud of the group for the year. There were some really, really great moments. We’re a super young team. Which is very exciting knowing the majority of people are coming back next year. So, I think for the last three games I hope everybody puts something on the pitch that they’re proud of for next year and for what we’re building. Also, just for themselves and for each other. Whether they’re here or not, if they’regonna play somewhere else, I hope they smash it out of the park for us this season so they can build their own resume.”
On the response to the team’s efforts:
“We knew it was gonna be a tough game. We know DC (Washington Spirit) is so good. It was going to take a really good performance. Credit to us. I do think we had some really good moments there. Just a couple of moments we slipped up and DC capitalized. It’s hard because I’m bummed we lost. Wedeserved a little bit better this year. Looking back on the whole year there were a few games where we kind of letsome points slip when we shouldn’t have. That’s sounds disappointing, but at the same time it’s really promising. Knowing we’re really close. With such a young group, the sky's the limit for the team. If we’re here right now with this young group, imagine where we’ll be next year and years to come.”
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD MILJANA IVANOVIC
On the match:
“Today's match was really hard. For the first 25 minutes, I think we played a little bit on the transition, and we couldn't keep the ball, but when we got into new positions, it was much better. We are doing much better than we were and for us, that's the most important thing. Now we just look forward to getting better and betterevery game.”
On her performance:
“This team is full of talent and full of amazing players. We have so many rookies; they're doing so amazing, and that is something that we really should be proud of. I just see us getting better and better. With these games and how we’re doing, it was just important that we get confidence, and I think we did that. From now on, we will play better and prepare for next season.”
On the last three matches:
“For example, during the Portland game, I think that was a game where we started on the front foot from the first minute, and that is something that we need to implement in all of the games. To start scoring first, not always coming back, and that's something that we should really look forward to doing.”
On her adaptation to the NWSL and the Houston Dash:
“I came to Houston three months ago, and it’s hard breathing here in Houston, so I think for me it was the most important to get used to the heat, get used to the fast play because this is so much faster than the league I was in (Damallsvenskan,). Then from now on, you can just see me playing more and scoring more goals, that's what I'm hoping for.”
