HOUSTON (July 23, 2026) - The Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Friday, July 24 for their first home match since Houston hosted the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The Dash welcome Bay FC for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff as the club celebrates Global Fútbol Night, presented by Verizon, honoring the city's passion for the world's game following a historic summer. Fans who arrive early to the match on Friday will receive a team-branded scarf and tickets for the match are available HERE.
Houston closed its three-match road trip with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Racing Louisville FC after midfielder Kat Rader scored the equalizer in the closing minutes of the second half. The goal was Rader's team-leading sixth of the season, making her the league's leading rookie scorer. The Duke product has now scored in consecutive matches and helped Houston earn a valuable point from a losing position. With the result, the Dash have collected six points from losing positions this season, the third-most in the NWSL.
Defensively, captain Jane Campbell once again anchored Houston's defense with five saves against Louisville, extending her NWSL-leading total to 57 this season. Her timely stops have been a key factor in keeping the Dash competitive during a tightly contested stretch in which each of the club's last six matches has been decided by one goal or fewer.
Houston's rookie class has continued to drive the club's success throughout the campaign, combining for 15 goal contributions (nine goals and six assists). Players 24 years old or younger have accounted for 16 of the Dash's 18 goals this season. That impact extends beyond the scoresheet, with defender Leah Klenke, Avery Patterson and Cate Hardin playing pivotal roles on the defensive side of the ball. To date, Patterson leads the team with 27 interceptions and Klenke has tallied 78 clearances, the second most on the team.
Bay FC enter with back-to-back victories after earning a 2-0 victory over Racing Louisville on the road on July 10 and a 3-0 triumph over the North Carolina Courage at home on July 18. The team returned to league play with a 2-2 draw on the road against Boston Legacy FC on July 5. The three-match unbeaten streak is the longest in team history, and forward Kerlie Lema has played a key role by scoring in each of the last three matches. She scored a brace in the victory over North Carolina, earning a NWSL Player of the Week nomination.
The Dash return to San Jose next month for their second and final regular-season meeting with Bay FC. The clubs split the season series in 2025, with both matches ending in 2-2 draws in Texas and Northern California. The most recent meeting on Aug. 2, 2025, saw Houston erase a two-goal deficit behind a 72nd-minute strike from midfielder Kiki Van Zanten before Sophie Schmidt found the equalizer just eight minutes later. That comeback proved to be a turning point in the Dash's season, sparking a six-match unbeaten run through early September that included three stoppage-time goals. That resiliency is evident this season with five goals scored in the 75th minute or later this year.
The Dash celebrate Pride Night, presented by the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday, Aug. 1 as they host Sam Kerr, Esther Gonzalez and Gotham FC at Shell Energy Stadium. The Dash has proudly celebrated Houston’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community for more than a decade and will once again recognize trailblazers and community leaders throughout the evening. Fans can purchase a commemorative scarf for $15 and tickets for the match are available HERE.
