HOUSTON (Aug. 18, 2026) - Fresh off a road victory over North Carolina, the Houston Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 19, for a crucial matchup against Chicago Stars FC as both teams look to climb the league table. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and all tickets purchased for the match will include $10 in concession credit. Tickets and additional information about the offer is available HERE.
Forward Clarissa Larisey scored twice late in the second half to help the Dash rally for a 3-2 road victory over the North Carolina Courage on Sunday evening. The result marked Houston’s first victory in North Carolina since the 2022 season and Larisey became the first Dash player to score multiple goals as a substitute since the inaugural 2014 season. The Canadian international is the sixth different player to score a game-winning goal for the Dash this season and her performance earned a Player of the Week nomination.
The Dash has now earned 10 points from a losing position, the second-most in the league this season. The Dash set the league record last season for the most points earned from a losing position with 12. To date, the team has scored nine tying (four) or go-ahead goals (five) this season, tied for the third-most in a full NWSL season (Gotham FC had 12 in 2017 and Seattle had 10 in 2014).
Dash forward Kate Faasse also found the back of the net Sunday evening, doing so on familiar ground at WakeMed Soccer Park. The 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy winner last played at the venue during the 2024 NCAA College Cup, where she helped North Carolina defeat Duke University in the semifinals before capturing the national championship. Faasse finished her collegiate career with 35 goals in 88 appearances for the Tar Heels and now has three goals in her first professional season. Her goal also added to the Dash rookies’ impressive production, with the team’s first-year players now combining for 12 goals this season, the most among any team in the league.
Fellow Tar Heel Avery Patterson played a key role in the victory Sunday, recording her second assist of the season when she found Larisey for the Dash’s second goal of the evening. Patterson contributed on both sides of the ball, leading the team with three interceptions against the Courage. Defender Lisa Boattin also made an immediate impact after entering the match in the second half, recording her first assist of the season on Larisey’s game-winning goal.
Additionally, Miljana Ivanović made her NWSL and Dash debut on Sunday against the Courage. The Serbian international signed with the team in June following a transfer from Malmö FF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan. She finished with two shots on goal in her 17-minute appearance against the Courage.
The Stars look to bounce back after a 1-0 loss on the road to Seattle Reign FC on Friday, Aug. 14. That was the first match under the leadership of interim head coach Karina Báez. The club parted ways with Martin Sjögren on Aug. 12 and also announced the return of Lorne Donaldson as the interim director of coaching through the end of the season.
Chicago will look to U.S. Women’s National Team forward Mallory Swanson to spark an offense that has been held scoreless in back-to-back games. The team will be without Jordyn Huitema, who was placed on the season-ending injury list at the end of last month following a knee injury against Angel City FC. The team will look to incorporate former Dash defender Michelle Alozie, who returned to the club after representing Nigeria at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Alozie spent five seasons with the Dash from 2021-2025 and joined Chicago as a free agent at the end of 2025. She joined defender Ryan Connaughton (Gareis), who also began her professional career with the Houston Dash in 2022. Connaughton signed with her hometown club at the end of the 2025 season and currently leads Chicago in assists with two. Connaughton missed the last match against Seattle with a knee injury.
The Dash travel to San Jose, California this weekend to close a three-match week against Bay FC on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. CT. The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12 to host Noche Latina as they welcome Utah Royals FC. Tickets for the match are available HERE.
