The Houston Dash announced several roster moves today as the club continues its 2018 preseason training.
Seven national team players have reported to Portland as the Dash prepare for their first match of the Thorns Spring Invitational on Sunday. Goalkeepers Jane Campbell (USA) and Bianca Henninger (Mexico), defenders Rachel Daly (England) and Janine Van Wyk (South Africa), and forwards Lindsay Agnew (Canada), Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa), Linda Motlhalo (South Africa) and Nichelle Prince (Canada) joined the team after competing for their respective national teams.
Campbell has returned from the U.S. Women’s National Team after the reigning World Cup champions defeated England 1-0 to win the SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday. Daly saw action in England’s final two matches including a 2-2 draw with Germany on March 4.
Agnew and Prince return after joining Canada for the Algarve Cup; and Henninger returns after joining Mexico in Turkey for the National Women’s Team Football Tournament.
Kgatlana, Motlhalo and Van Wyk join Houston after representing South Africa in the Cyprus Cup, where Kgatlana won the Most Valuable Player Award.
With the addition of those seven players the Dash have released two draft picks from the 2018 NWSL College Draft in midfielder Abby Elinsky and goalkeeper Sarah Shimer, along with non-roster invitees forwards Sonest Furtado and Heather Kaleiohi. Additionally, defender Cami Privett has announced her retirement from professional soccer.
Houston will debut in the Thorns Spring Invitational at 1:30 p.m. CDT on Sunday against the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team. The Dash will return to Texas after the round-robin tournament on March 18 to prepare for their home opener against Julie Ertz, Sam Kerr and the Chicago Red Stars at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25 at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets for the match begin at $19 and are available here.
