HOUSTON (May 8, 2026) - The Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, May 9 to host Denver Summit FC as part of Women’s Empowerment Night, presented by United Airlines. Festivities include a pregame meet and greet with WNBA legend and three-time MVP, Sheryl Swoopes. Fans can meet the four-time WNBA champion by purchasing a Dash x Togethxr ticket package and additional information about the offer is available HERE.
The Dash return to Houston following a midweek clash with Utah Royals FC in Salt Lake City. The Royals earned three points following a 2-0 victory with goals from Cloé Lacasse and Courtney Brown. Houston made six changes to the starting XI for the midweek match and four players earned their first start of the season. Midfielder Emina Ekić made her Dash debut in the match and this was her first match in league play since the 2023 season for Racing Louisville FC.
The Dash has fielded some of its youngest lineups in recent history with 23 starts going to players 21 years old or younger this season. The team record is 29 starts earned for players 21 years old or younger during the 2016 season. Houston native Leah Klenke is one of five first-year players to earn a start this season and she has played every minute for the team this year, helping the team earn three shutouts. University of North Carolina product Linda Ullmark is the other first-year player to start every game for the Dash this season and she finished with one interception and two clearances against the Royals.
Defensively, Dash captain Jane Campbell finished with five saves against Utah and the goalkeeper needs to appear in one more match to reach 200 appearances for the Houston Dash across all competitions. Campbell could be the first goalkeeper to reach that milestone with a single club. To date, Campbell has tallied three clean sheets this season and 45 shutouts in league play since making her debut in 2017.
This is the first ever meeting with Denver and the expansion side features three players that represented the Dash in 2025. Goalkeeper Abby Smith joined the expansion side as a free agent following the end of the 2025 campaign. Forward Yazmeen Ryan and midfielder Delanie Sheehan joined Denver following a trade earlier this season in exchange for $1 million in Intra-League Transfer funds and Expansion Allocation funds. Ryan recently scored her first goal for Denver in their last outing against Boston Legacy FC. That match finished 3-2 in favor of Boston following goals from Nichelle Prince, Aïssata Traoré and Bianca St-Georges.
Denver enters Saturday’s match with back-to-back defeats, and they have not earned three points since a 2-0 victory over the 2025 NWSL champions, Gotham FC on March 25. The team has lost eight points from winning positions following Sunday’s defeat in Boston, the most in league play this season. Offensively, the team is led by Melissa Kössler, who has four goals this season. Natasha Flint is also a key threat in the attacking third, she has contributed to five goals this season with two assists and three goals. In addition to Ryan and Sheehan, the Dash backline will look to contain Carson Pickett and Janine Sonis, who combine for 16 chances created this season. Defensively, Smith has the third most saves in league play this season with 28.
The Dash travel to Colorado in July for the second and final regular-season meeting between the clubs. Houston heads to Missouri next week to face 2025 NWSL Shield winner Kansas City Current on Friday, May 15. The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, May 20 to take on San Diego Wave FC in the first of two home matches that week. For tickets and more information, visit HoustonDash.com.
