HOUSTON (Aug. 8, 2026) – The Houston Dash battled to a 1-1 draw against the Kansas City Current at Shell Energy Stadium tonight, earning a point after rookie Kat Rader converted a second-half penalty kick for her seventh goal of the season. The Dash have now scored six goals in the final 10 minutes of the match with four of those goals coming in stoppage time.
Kansas City opened the scoring in the 44th minute as Debinha found the bottom corner with a right-footed effort. The goal marked her fourth of the season, while Croix Bethune tallied her eighth assist of the campaign.
Houston found the equalizer from the penalty spot after defender Allysha Chapman was fouled inside the box. Rader stepped up and converted the penalty for her second penalty goal of the year. The Duke University product continues to lead all 2026 NWSL rookies in goals scored.
Tonight’s match saw Chapman make her 100th start for the Dash in all competitions, becoming the third player in club history to reach the milestone after Jane Campbell and Kealia Watt. Forward Khyah Harper earned her first start for Houston after joining the Dash last week following a transfer from Gotham FC. Additonaly defender Natalie Hammond made her NWSL debut coming on in the second half.
Dash captain Jane Campbell was called into action in the opening minutes of the match to deny Amelia White’s right-footed effort from inside the box, making the save toward the center of the net.
Forward Kate Faasse created Houston’s first chance of the night in the 11th minute, dribbling around the Kansas City defense before firing a shot from outside the box that was blocked by the Current’s backline. Houston threatened again four minutes later as Harper found Rader in space. Rader delivered a cross into the box for defender Avery Patterson, who fired a shot thatwent over the crossbar.
Houston created another chance in the 35th minute as forward Kiki Van Zanten dropped down the left flank before finding Chapman for a shot, but her effort was blocked by White. Two minutes later, Rader tested goalkeeper Marisa Jordan with a shot that was collected by the keeper.
Houston created a dangerous opportunity early in the second half as forward Clarissa Larisey collected the ball in the 48th minute and dribbled down the field before firing a shot toward the corner that was cleared by Kansas City’s defense. Larisey threatened again moments later after midfielder Sophie Schmidt delivered a cross into the box, but the shot was unable to find the back of the net.
The Dash generated back-to-back chances in the 59th minute. Midfielder Maggie Graham saw her effort strike the woodwork before Houston collected the rebound. Van Zanten followed with a shot toward the top corner, but her effort narrowly missed the target.
Houston generated another chance in the 73rd minute following a free kick from Leah Klenke. Graham collected the ball at the edge of the box and fired the shot, but her effort was blocked.
Rader nearly completed the brace in the 90th minute following a free kick just outside the box, but her effort was just over the crossbar. Larisey nearly put one in the back of the net after going one on one with a Kansas City defender, but the ball ultimately went out of play.
The Dash travel to Cary, North Carolina next weekend to face the North Carolin Courage. The team returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 19 to face Chicago Stars FC. Tickets for this match include a $10 concession credit and fans can purchase tickets for the match HERE.
