HOUSTON (Aug. 15, 2026) - The Houston Dash travel to Cary, North Carolina on Sunday, Aug. 16 to face the North Carolina Courage at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT, and fans can follow the action live on NWSL+.
The Dash enter Sunday’s match following a 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Current at Shell Energy Stadium. Rookie forward Kat Rader converted a second-half penalty kick for her seventh goal of the season, keeping Houston level after Kansas City opened the scoring in the 44th minute. Rader continues to lead all 2026 NWSL rookies in goals and is tied for third among rookies in league history with seven goals in a single season. Houston has now scored six goals in the final 10 minutes of matches this season, including four in stoppage time.
Last week’s match also featured several milestones for the Dash. Defender Allysha Chapman made her 100th start for Houston, becoming the third player in club history to reach the milestone. Forward Khyah Harper earned her first start for the Dash after joining the club following a transfer from Gotham FC, while defender Natalie Hammond made her NWSL debut after entering the match in the second half.
Houston’s rookie class has continued to make an impact throughout the 2026 campaign. Midfielder Linda Ullmark is one of three NWSL rookies to start every single match this season, while defender Leah Klenke leads all first-year players in minutes played. Ullmark was named NWSL Rookie of the Month, presented by Ally, for July after contributing to four goals during the month including her first two NWSL goals. Rader earned the same honor in May.
Defensively, the Dash have been led by defenders Paige Nielsen and Klenke, who lead the team with 98 clearances each, while Avery Patterson has recorded 48 clearances and leads Houston with 46 tackles. Midfielder Danny Colaprico has registered 28 interceptions this season and she is tied with Patterson for the team lead, while Nielsen has added 21 interceptions. Goalkeeper Jane Campbell has started all 17 matches for the Dash this season, recording 69 saves and four clean sheets.
North Carolina will look to build on a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Washington Spirit last weekend. The Courage jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 15 minutes behind goals from Ashley Sanchez and Evelyn Ijeh, before Washington rallied to level the match in the second half. North Carolina captain Natalie Jacobs scored the game-winning goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure all three points.
Ijeh was named to the NWSL Best XI of the Month, presented by Amazon Prime, for July after scoring four goals during the month, including a hat trick against Orlando Pride. The forward has nine goals this season, while Sanchez has also been a key contributor for the Courage with 11 goals through the opening 16 matches.
Defensively, the Courage recorded back-to-back shutout victories over Orlando Pride and Denver Summit FC prior to last weekend’s seven-goal thriller, marking the club’s first consecutive clean sheets since March-April 2024. Maycee Bell leads the team with 70 clearances this season, while Ryan Williams has recorded 23 interceptions and Riley Jackson has won 38 tackles.
The Dash will look to even the season series on Sunday after North Carolina earned a 1-0 victory in the first meeting between the two clubs on April 25 at Shell Energy Stadium. Sanchez scored the lone goal in the 42nd minute, while goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan made several key saves to preserve the shutout. The match also marked the first time Houston was held scoreless at Shell Energy Stadium in 13 matches.
Houston return to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to face Chicago Stars FC for a Midweek Match Up Special. Every ticket purchased for the match includes a $10 concession voucher. Tickets and additional information are available HERE.
