Houston Dash 2024 player report cards: Paige Nielsen
(image via Houston Dash)
We’re continuing our 2024 report card series, recapping each Dynamo and Dash player’s season. Next up is defender Paige Nielsen.
2024 Grade: A
2024 by the numbers (NWSL play)
Appearances: 24
Minutes played: 2159
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
G+ per 96: -0.01
2024 in review
(via FBref.com and FBcharts.com)
After conceding 14 goals in their first five matches of the 2024 season, the Houston Dash knew they needed defensive help. The team traded for veteran defender Paige Nielsen from Angel City on April 20 and she immediately improved the backline. The Dash conceded just twice in Nielsen’s first four starts for Houston.
Nielsen became a locked in starter for the remainder of the season, outside of a slight injury hiatus. The veteran gave interim head coach Ricky Clarke a security blanket in the back line and her versatility was a huge assest as well. Nielsen played mostly as a center back but also saw time as a left back and on the right side late in the season.
Paige started 21 games for Houston and played in all but one minute, coming off in the 89th minute of one match. With the addition of big-money signing Tarciane, Nielsen took the youngester under her wing and helped her adapt to the league. The Tarciane-Nielsen pairing, with Natalie Jacobs as well, is a foundation the Dash can look to build off of in an offseason that needs lots of TLC.
Moment of the season
It had to be her. In Nielsen’s return to Los Angeles, after being traded to the Dash, she scored the winner deep in stoppage time to beat her former club. A Hollywood script if we’ve ever seen one.
Looking forward
Nielsen was set to be a free agent this offseason but committed her future to Houston, signing a four-year contract extension in August. She will now likely end her career with the Dash, signing through the 2028 season when she will be 35 years old. Nielsen spoke about how difficult it was for her and her family to move after her trade so it is great to see her happy and putting down roots in Houston. As we mentioned above, Nielsen, Tarciane, Jacobs, Avery Patterson, and Jane Campbell give the Dash a defensive foundation to build on this offseason as they rebuild the club.
