History of Houston Dash in Timeline

The Houston Dash is a professional women's soccer team based in Houston, Texas, competing in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Established in 2014, the Dash plays its home matches at Shell Energy Stadium. They represent Houston in the highest tier of women's professional soccer in the United States.

April 3, 2007: Dynamo Diesel Unveiled at Houston Zoo

On April 3, 2007, Dynamo Diesel, an orange-haired fox mascot, was unveiled at the Houston Zoo. The mascot was designed by Eric Hulsey and Leslie Lopez and was selected through an online poll.

2011: Houston Sports Park Opens

In 2011, the Houston Sports Park (HSP) opened, serving as the training facility for Houston Dynamo FC, Houston Dash, and academy teams. The complex features seven soccer fields and is located 10 miles south of Shell Energy Stadium.

May 2012: Shell Energy Stadium (formerly BBVA Stadium) Opens

In May 2012, the stadium now known as Shell Energy Stadium (formerly BBVA Stadium), opened with a 20,656-seat capacity. It became the first soccer-specific stadium in Major League Soccer located in a city's downtown district.

November 19, 2013: MLS team Houston Dynamo began initial stages of bringing women's professional soccer franchise to Houston

On November 19, 2013, the Houston Dynamo of the MLS began the process of establishing a professional women's soccer franchise in Houston.

December 11, 2013: National Women's Soccer League awarded Houston Dynamo an expansion franchise

On December 11, 2013, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) granted Houston Dynamo and the city of Houston an expansion franchise.

December 12, 2013: Houston Dash Name Announcement

On December 12, 2013, Houston Dynamo president Chris Canetti announced the club would be named the Houston Dash and would share colors similar to the Dynamo: orange, black, and sky blue. The name Dash refers to the fast running speed of a horse, a historical mode of transportation for Texans.

December 23, 2013: Brian Ching Named Managing Director of Houston Dash

On December 23, 2013, Brian Ching, a former Houston Dynamo player, was appointed as the managing director, overseeing the business and technical operations of the Houston Dash.

January 3, 2014: Randy Waldrum Named First Head Coach of Houston Dash

On January 3, 2014, Randy Waldrum was announced as the first head coach of the Houston Dash. Waldrum had previously coached the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's soccer team.

August 6, 2014: DirecTV and AT&T Proposed Reorganization Plan

On August 6, 2014, DirecTV and AT&T proposed a reorganization plan to acquire CSN Houston in a joint venture.

October 22, 2014: Network Canceled Existing Studio Shows

On October 22, 2014, due to the approval of DirecTV and AT&T's reorganization plan, the network canceled all of its existing studio shows.

October 30, 2014: Reorganization Offer Approved by the Court

On October 30, 2014, the reorganization offer by DirecTV and AT&T to acquire CSN Houston was approved by the court, despite an appeal by Comcast.

2014: Diesel became the official mascot of the Houston Dash

In 2014, Dynamo Diesel became the official mascot of the Houston Dash, enhancing the gameday atmosphere at Shell Energy Stadium.

2014: Dash began play in the 2014 season

In 2014, the Houston Dash began play as a team in the National Women's Soccer League. The team plays its home games at Shell Energy Stadium.

2015: Houston Dash Matches Aired on Root Sports

Throughout 2015, select Houston Dash matches continued to be aired on Root Sports.

2016: End of Previous Local Broadcast Agreement

The year 2016 marks the end of the team's previous local broadcast agreement before the new agreement announced in July 2022.

2016: Houston Dash Matches Aired on Root Sports

Throughout 2016, select Houston Dash matches continued to be aired on Root Sports.

May 29, 2017: Randy Waldrum and Houston Dash Part Ways

On May 29, 2017, Randy Waldrum and the Houston Dash mutually agreed to part ways, leading to assistant coach Omar Morales being appointed as the interim coach.

September 23, 2017: Dash Featured on Lifetime

On September 23, 2017, the Houston Dash were featured in a nationally broadcast Lifetime NWSL Game of the Week broadcast.

November 27, 2017: Vera Pauw Hired as Head Coach of Houston Dash

On November 27, 2017, Vera Pauw was appointed as the new head coach of the Houston Dash.

September 20, 2018: Vera Pauw Departs from the Houston Dash

On September 20, 2018, Vera Pauw departed from her position as head coach of the Houston Dash.

December 11, 2018: James Clarkson Hired as Head Coach

On December 11, 2018, James Clarkson was hired as the new head coach of the Houston Dash.

June 13, 2019: BBVA Compass Stadium Changed Name to BBVA Stadium

On June 13, 2019, BBVA Compass Stadium changed its name to BBVA Stadium following the sponsor's rebrand.

June 2021: BBVA Stadium Rebranded as PNC Stadium

In June 2021, BBVA Stadium was rebranded as PNC Stadium following PNC Financial Services' acquisition of BBVA USA.

June 22, 2021: Ted Segal Completes Acquisition of Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash

On June 22, 2021, Ted Segal finalized the acquisition of the Houston Dynamo FC and Houston Dash in a deal reportedly worth $400 million, subsequently investing significantly in both clubs and Shell Energy Stadium.

February 2, 2022: Jessica O'Neill hired as the team's first president

On February 2, 2022, the Houston Dash announced the hiring of Jessica O'Neill as the team's first president, tasked with increasing revenue and acting as the team's spokesperson to the NWSL.

April 26, 2022: NWSL and NWSLPA recommend coach James Clarkson be suspended pending investigation

On April 26, 2022, the NWSL and NWSLPA recommended that coach James Clarkson be suspended while they conducted an investigation into alleged violations of the NWSL Policy to Prevent and Eliminate Workplace Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying.

April 27, 2022: Houston Dash Suspends James Clarkson

On April 27, 2022, the Houston Dash announced the immediate suspension of James Clarkson pending the conclusion of the joint investigation by the NWSL and NWSLPA that was launched in 2021.

April 29, 2022: Sarah Lowdon to serve as acting head coach

On April 29, 2022, the Houston Dash announced that Sarah Lowdon would serve as the acting head coach while the club conducted its search for an interim head coach.

June 15, 2022: Juan Carlos Amorós named interim head coach

On June 15, 2022, the Houston Dash appointed Juan Carlos Amorós, formerly of Real Betis Féminas and Tottenham Hotspur, as its interim head coach. Sarah Lowdon continued as acting head coach pending Amorós's visa approval.

June 22, 2022: Houston Dynamo Football Club Announced Plans for Major Upgrades to Shell Energy Stadium

On June 22, 2022, Houston Dynamo Football Club (HDFC) announced plans for major upgrades to Shell Energy Stadium.

July 2022: Local Broadcast Agreement Announced

In July 2022, Houston Dash announced plans to broadcast matches locally on AT&T SportsNet Southwest, marking the team's first local agreement since 2016.

August 24, 2022: Alex Singer Named General Manager

On August 24, 2022, the Houston Dash appointed Alex Singer, a former NWSL player and sports executive, as the General Manager to oversee all soccer operations.

August 25, 2022: Ted Segal Bought Out Minority Owners

On August 25, 2022, Ted Segal, the majority owner of the Houston Dash, bought out the stakes of minority owners Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ben Guill.

December 14, 2022: Dash to not renew James Clarkson's contract

On December 14, 2022, the Houston Dash announced that the club would not renew the contract with James Clarkson, due to reports that his "actions constituted emotional misconduct."

December 21, 2022: Sam Laity Hired as Head Coach

On December 21, 2022, Sam Laity was hired as the new head coach of the Houston Dash.

January 17, 2023: PNC Stadium Renamed Shell Energy Stadium

On January 17, 2023, PNC Stadium officially became Shell Energy Stadium, with Shell Energy and the Dynamo agreeing on a stadium naming rights deal for a reported $40 million over 8 years.

September 6, 2023: Sam Laity Fired as Head Coach

On September 6, 2023, Sam Laity was fired from his position as head coach of the Houston Dash.

October 2023: AT&T SportsNet Southwest Rebrands

In October 2023, AT&T SportsNet Southwest rebranded to Space City Home Network.

November 9, 2023: NWSL Announces Landmark Media Distribution Agreements

On November 9, 2023, the National Women's Soccer League announced landmark domestic media distribution agreements with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports. These four-year contracts are set to generate record-breaking distribution and revenue for the league.

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December 22, 2023: Fran Alonso Appointed Head Coach of the Dash

On December 22, 2023, Fran Alonso was appointed as the head coach of the Houston Dash. Alonso joined Houston after being at the helm Celtic FC Women.

2023: Upgrades to Shell Energy Stadium Completed

In 2023, major upgrades to Shell Energy Stadium were completed, including the installation of all-new mesh seats and the creation of a new air-conditioned, premium all-inclusive club area.

March 14, 2024: Pablo Pinones Arce Appointed as Technical Director

On March 14, 2024, the Houston Dash announced the addition of Pablo Pinones Arce as the club's first Technical Director in team history. Pinones Arce was brought in to work alongside general manager Alex Singer.

April 12, 2024: Dash Matches to Stream in Spanish on Deportes Nation

On April 12, 2024, Houston Dash and PTS Media announced that all remaining home matches for the 2024 season would stream in Spanish across the Deportes Nation digital platforms. This marked the first time that Dash matches would be available to fans in Spanish, including pre and postgame shows.

April 25, 2024: Broadcast Agreement with Space City Home Network Announced

On April 25, 2024, Houston Dash and Space City Home Network (SCHN) announced a broadcast agreement to bring select Dash matches to the local network during the 2024 season. This agreement marked the third consecutive year in which the Dash prioritized providing local broadcast options through the network.

July 16, 2024: Tim Howard Joins Houston Dash Ownership

On July 16, 2024, Tim Howard, former United States men's national soccer team goalkeeper, became a minority owner of the Houston Dash.

July 25, 2024: Alex Singer Fired as General Manager

On July 25, 2024, Alex Singer was fired from her position as General Manager of the Houston Dash after the team secured only three wins in sixteen matches during the 2024 season.

December 9, 2024: Angela Hucles Mangano Appointed President of Women’s Soccer and Chief Soccer Officer

On December 9, 2024, the Houston Dash announced Angela Hucles Mangano as President of Women’s Soccer and Chief Soccer Officer for the team. Hucles Mangano was previously the General Manager for Angel City FC.

January 3, 2025: Fabrice Gautrat Named New Head Coach

On January 3, 2025, the Houston Dash announced Fabrice Gautrat as the team's new head coach, their tenth overall. Gautrat spent the 2023 and 2024 NWSL seasons as an assistant coach at the North Carolina Courage.