Houston Dash 2024 position breakdown: Midfielders
(image via Houston Dash)
New head coach Fran Alonso has promised a very attack-minded style of play for the Houston Dash. While this club continues to be built under how Alonso wants to play, there is one area that seems pretty set with a number of quality players, the midfield. If Alonso plays a 3-4-3 like he played at Celtic, some of the midfield and attack players will be interchangable and playing similar roles. Here is a look at the players who look to feature in that midfield four for Houston in 2024.
Michelle Alozie
Alozie had a breakout season in 2023, featuring for Nigeria in the Women’s World Cup. Where she plays is yet to be seen. Alozie played some as a wing back last season and also spent some time as a forward. I think Alozie slots in on the right of a midfield four in a 3-4-3 but we’ll see where Alonso think she best fits
Andressa Alves
A full season of Andressa should do wonders for the Dash and the Brazilian midfielder. Andressa can score and create goals, as we can see on her fbref chart below, something this team desperately needed last season. A 3-4-3 doesn’t have a natural 10, like Andressa plays, so we’ll likely see her pulling the strings in what moprhs to a 3-5-2 when the Dash are in possession.
Belle Briede
Briede joined the Dash this offseason after a trade with the San Diego Wave. She played just over 600 minutes in all competitions last season for the NWSL Shield winners, so Briede will be looking for a fresh start. She will have to fight for minutes in what is a crowded crop of central midfielders. Alonso seemed to like what Briede brings to the team, as she spent a lot of time on the field this preseason.
Sophie Hirst
Hirst was on track for a good rookie season in 2023 until an injury derailed her playing time. Now back fit, the second-year player will continue to learn the ropes under veterans like Sophie Schmidt. As Hirst continues to grow and learn the professional game, she is going to have to improve her passing. She completed just 72.2% of her passes last season, a very low number for a central midfielder who is looking to link up play a lot of the time.
Yuki Nagasato
The former Japanese international brings another veteran presence to the Dash midfield. Nagasato had 4 goals and 2 assists for the Chicago Red Stars last season, making 22 starts in 23 appearances. The 36 year old looks to be a bench option for Alonso with the ability to provide a spark on offense, when needed.
Barbara Olivieri
Olivieri signed with the Dash last offseason after a short stint in Mexico after playing collegiately at Texas A&M. She will look to take a leap in her second season in NWSL. Olivieri just turned 22 last month and she has two very good veterans in Andressa and Nagasato to learn from. Like the other number 10s on this roster, we’ll have to see just where they fit into Alonso’s system.
Avery Patterson
Considered by most as one of the biggest steals in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Patterson comes to Houston with the chance to contribute immediately. Patterson is a great crosser of the ball, making her a candidate to start on the left side of the 3-4-3 midfield. It will be intriguing to see how she fits alongside Maria Sanchez if both play on the left side. They didn’t get a lot of time in preseason together, as Sanchez was at the W Gold Cup, so it could be a work in progress for the rookie and the Mexican star.
Elin Rubensson
Sweden’s 2023 player of the year signed with the Dash just yesterday. With a player of her pedigree and success with the Swedish national team and in the Swedish domestic league, you expect her to come right into the starting eleven when she is ready and up to speed. Rubensson can play in the center of midfield and has even played some right back. She gives Alonso another Swiss Army Knife type of player, one that will be looked to to drive the Dash to success in 2024.
Sophie Schmidt
The stalwart, the captain, what more can be said about Schmidt? The 35 year old retired from international play with Canada but she has shown no signs of slowing down in Houston. Schmidt started all 22 games she appeared in last season across all competitions, putting in nearly 2,000 minutes. Schmidt could also play some center back this season, a position she has played in the past, with the CB depth being pretty thin. Can Schmidt continue to put out that kind of work load as she turns 36 this summer? She may not have to as the Dash now have lots of depth in players that can play as a 6/8.
Havana Solaun
Solaun made just three starts in 2023 after spending time at the World Cup with Jamaica and battling some injuries. The 31 year old gives Alonso yet another option for a player that can play in that 6/8 role. It’s a long season in NWSL and we know how the Houston summers are. Solaun, and all the players in this midfield group, will likely be called on to play a role, wherever that may be in the new system under their new manager.
