(image via Aldo Canale)
The Houston Dash lost 2-0 yesterday, officially kicking off the offseason as the team looks to build to 2027. One of the first questions facing the club is the head coach position. Jaime Frias took over on an interim basis after Fabrice Gautrat was fired and now Houston will be looking to hire a permanent head coach for 2027.
The next big question is, which players will be part of the team moving forward in 2027? The Dash have already taken steps to retain several players, with Kiki Van Zanten, Cate Hardin, Natalie Hammond, Sarah Puntigam and Danielle Colaprico all agreeing to new contracts recently. However, there are still a number of players with an uncertain future.
Some of these players could return to Houston for next season, while others may find themselves looking for opportunities elsewhere.
With the offseason underway, let's take a look at each of the Dash's remaining free agents and assess the possibility of seeing them back in Houston next season.
Malia Berkely
Berkely is one of the more interesting players for Houston to consider bringing back. The 28-year-old defender appeared in 17 matches during the 2026 season, logging 947 minutes. In August she announced her pregnancy and missed the rest of the season on maternity leave. She will likely remain on maternity leave at least into the early part of the 2027 season. With the Dash continuing to build the defensive unit around younger players such as Leah Klenke and Avery Patterson, retaining a veteran like Berkely could provide some much-needed depth. Berkely will turn 29 in February. If she returns from maternity leave in the middle of next season, it could make sense to bring her back to provide some stability to this roster.
Messiah Bright
Bright arrived in Houston before the 2025 season with expectations of contributing to the attack, but she struggled to establish a consistent role during the 2026 season. She appeared in 11 matches but played just 213 minutes, failing to score. She wasn’t on the injury report and failed to make the bench for Sunday’s season finale against Portland. Bright has the physical tools and attacking ability to be a contributor in the NWSL, but Houston needs more consistent production from its forwards. With Kat Rader and Kate Faasse emerging as important pieces of the attack, abd Clarissa Larisey and Miljana Ivanovic under contract, Bright looks to be the odd person out. A fresh start elsewhere seems likely for Bright in 2027.
Allysha Chapman
Chapman is one of the more experienced players on Houston's roster, but at 37 years old, you have to wonder how much longer she wants to continue playing. Chapman recently retired from the Canadian national team but remained a useful option for the Dash in 2026, appearing in 19 matches and recording 810 minutes. Her experience, leadership and ability to provide depth along the back line are valuable qualities for a team that will once again be developing a new identity in 2027. If Chapman wants to continue playing, a short-term deal could make sense for both sides, particularly if the Dash want to retain some veteran leadership in the locker room and under what could be a new coaching staff.
Caroline DeLisle
DeLisle's future could come down to what Houston wants its goalkeeper depth to look like heading into 2027. With Jane Campbell firmly established as the starting goalkeeper, opportunities for DeLisle have been limited. She made two appearances during the 2026 season, with one start. At 26, DeLisle is still at an age where she could develop further, but she will also want to find a situation where she has a better opportunity to see the field. Also, the Dash’s third choice goalkeeper from this season, Hillary Beall, is under contract for next season. The Dash could benefit from retaining her as a backup, but if DeLisle is looking for a larger role or if Beall is seen as the next backup to Campbell, she may explore opportunities elsewhere.
Evelina Duljan
Duljan is another player whose future in Houston is uncertain after a quiet 2026 campaign. The Swedish attacker was unable to establish herself in the Dash lineup and did not record an appearance during the regular season and was out with an excused absence for most of the second half of the year. At just 23 years old, there is still time for Duljan to develop and become a contributor, but Houston will need to determine whether she fits into its plans moving forward. The Dash have several young attacking options competing for playing time, making it difficult to justify keeping a roster spot occupied by someone who hasn't been able to get on the field. A return isn't out of the question, but seems very unlikely.
Khyah Harper
Harper could be one of the more interesting players for Houston to consider retaining. The 24-year-old appeared in 18 matches during the 2026 season after coming over from Gotham FC. While she wasn't a regular starter, Harper showed enough to remain in the conversation as a depth option for the Dash. Harper would give Houston another option as it looks to build depth around its emerging young core. She still has room to develop, at just 24 years old, and another season in Houston could give her an opportunity to earn a larger role. Of the players on this list, Harper is someone the Dash should seriously consider bringing back.
Jyllissa Harris
Harris faces an uphill battle to return to Houston after spending the last two seasons on loan in Canada with Ottawa Rapid FC. At 26, she could still provide depth to a team looking for defensive options, but Houston has several players ahead of her in the current pecking order. With the emergence of younger defenders and the need to continue strengthening the back line, the Dash may decide to look elsewhere and allow Harris to remain with Ottawa, where she has been successful.
Makenzy Robbe
Robbe's 2026 season was limited by an ACL injury after just three matches, making her one of the more difficult players to evaluate heading into free agency. At 32, Robbe brings considerable NWSL experience and could still offer something to Houston's attack if she is able to stay healthy. However, the Dash need more reliable attacking production and will have to weigh the value of retaining an experienced player against the opportunity to bring in younger options. A return on a short-term deal is possible, but her return to health will likely be a major factor.
Sophie Schmidt
Schmidt is another veteran whose future in Houston could depend on how much longer she wants to continue playing. When she was subbed out of Sunday’s match, she waved to the fans and hugged everyone on the bench. Was that a sign? The Canadian international turned 38 during the 2026 season and appeared in 13 matches. Schmidt's experience at both the club and international levels has made her a valuable presence in the locker room for years. Her leadership could be useful for a relatively young Houston squad, but the Dash also need to continue developing their midfield options for the future. If Schmidt wants to play another season, there could be room for her in a limited role. However, retirement wouldn't be surprising.
Amanda West
West is perhaps the biggest question mark among Houston's pending free agents. The Canadian forward has spent the last two seasons on loan in Canada and Sweden and battled back from an injury. West previously showed promise as an attacking player, but her lack of playing time the last two years makes it difficult to determine where she fits into Houston's plans. At 25, she is still young enough to be a potential contributor, but the Dash have a number of players in the forward position. Houston will need to decide whether West is someone it wants to reintegrate into the roster or whether both sides would benefit from moving in a different direction.
