Houston Dash become NWSL’s ninth club, first expansion team

Washington Spirit  |   December 12, 2013
Houston Dash become NWSL’s ninth club, first expansion team Featured Image

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced today the founding of its ninth club and first expansion team, the Houston Dash. The Dash is owned and operated by the Houston Dynamo of Major League Soccer (MLS) and will begin play with the start of the 2014 NWSL season.

“We’re proud and excited to welcome the Houston Dash to the NWSL as the first expansion team in league history,” NWSL Executive Director Cheryl Bailey said. “The creation of the Dash will mean enhanced opportunities for female soccer players at the professional level as well as the chance for fans from another part of the country to watch and interact with some of the world’s most talented players. We are thrilled at being able to add an organization as strong as the Houston Dynamo as we work towards continuing to build a sustainable league.”

The Dash will play its home games at BBVA Compass Stadium, the downtown home of the Houston Dynamo. The club will host 12 home games as part of a 24-game schedule (three games against each opponent) in the NWSL’s second season. The four teams with the most points at the conclusion of the 2014 regular season will earn a berth in the NWSL Playoffs.

“We are thrilled to have our very own NWSL franchise here in Houston,” said Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti. “It is an important addition to our sports landscape and will bring added value to our community.”

The Dash will train at Houston Sports Park (HSP), the official training home of the Houston Dynamo and the Dynamo Academy.

Canetti added: “We share the vision for this league and look forward to playing our part in making it a great success. Part of our responsibility is to grow the game of soccer, and this new team will play a significant role in that effort.”

For more information, call 713-276-GOAL or visit www.HoustonDynamo.com/HoustonDash. Follow the club on Twitter @HoustonDash; on Facebook at Facebook.com/HoustonDash; and on Instagram at HoustonDash.

The roster for the Dash will be constructed using the following:

• Discovery Signings (domestic and international)
• Allocation Process
• Expansion Draft
• 2014 NWSL College Draft

Further details on the expansion roster procedures will be provided in the coming weeks.

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