Potential free agent targets for the Houston Dash
(image via Daniela Porcelli/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
The NWSL offseason is officially underway, and the Houston Dash have splashed the cash to bring back star Maria Sanchez. The Mexican international was a restricted free agent but the Dash were able to bring Sanchez back. Houston still has three free agents on the market in Emily Curran, Shea Groom, and Marisa Viggiano.
While the Dash could still sign any of these three players (they also declined to offer contracts to other players who were on their roster that are now free agents). There are also other free agents on the market from around NWSL. After missing the playoffs in 2023, the Dash will be looking to make a splash with their coaching hire and additions to the roster.
With Sanchez, Diana Ordonez, Nichelle Prince, and Michelle Alozie likely leading the offense, where will the Dash look to improve? Will they improve the best defensive unit in the league or try and supplement an offense that sputtered all season? We’ll take a look at five players, that are unrestricted free agents, that the Dash could target this month. (Obviously if Houston wants to sign any of the big names like Mallory Swanson or Rose Lavelle, that’s fine too.)
Tierna Davidson
Davidson was the number one overall pick in the 2019 NWSL Draft and has spent her whole career with the Chicago Red Stars. The 25-year-old can play as a left back and a center back. Sarah Punitgam played a similar role last season when the Dash played in a back 3/5. The tactics could change depending on who Houston hires as their head coach but a young player with Davidson’s versatility and defensive acumen would be a great addition.
Casey Krueger
Krueger is another former Chicago Red Star who can play as a left back and center back. Whereas Davidson is still in the early stages in her career, Krueger is a veteran who will turn 34 next summer. Krueger has some offensive prowess as well that could help add another dimension to the Houston lineup. The Dash have a core of Katie Lind, Natalie Jacobs, and Ally Prisock on defense and Jyllissa Harris will be entering her second season. Puntigam can play on the back line as well, but adding another veteran piece to the best defense in the league could be a direction general manager Alex Singer and the front office go in free agency.
Savannah McCaskill
You might remember McCaskill scoring the goal that essentially ended the Dash season this year in the home finale against Angel City FC. The South Carolina native scored four goals and added three assists in 2023. McCaskill has played as a striker, on the wings, and as a central midfielder. McCaskill was named to the Best XI Second Team this season in NWSL. At just 27, she is still entering her prime and could be a versatile attacking piece to add for a team that struggled to generate offense this past season.
Nikki Stanton
With Viggiano a free agent, the Dash added midfielder Belle Briede in a trade Sunday. Stanton is another veteran midfielder that can play as a six and spell Sophie Schmidt. Sophie Hirst had a good rookie season last year before her injury but if the Dash want another veteran in the midfield Stanton has very good defensive numbers, if she decides to leave OL Reign.
Bianca St. Georges
No, Chicago’s whole team aren’t free agents, but St. Georges is the third former Red Star on this list. The Canadian international is just 26 and most importantly plays a position of need after Caprice Dydasco left Houston for Bay FC earlier this month. St. Georges can play on the right, like Dydasco, and could slot right into the starting lineup if Houston plays another formation with wing backs and a back three. She can also get forward into the attack, scoring three goals in her last five games of 2023 playing on the right wing.
