Reports: Houston Dash set to acquire USWNT midfielder Yazmeen Ryan
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According to multiple reports, the Houston Dash are set to make their biggest acquistion in some time, in one of the biggest intra-league transfers ever, acquiring young attacker Yazmeen Ryan from NJ/NY Gotham FC. SI Soccer’s Jenna Tonelli and Theo Lloyd-Hughes reported the news of the trade early this morning. Jeff Kassouf of Equalizer Soccer also reported that the trade is done. Ryan, who made her debut for the US Women’s National Team in October, is coming off her best season as a pro with 5 goals and 5 assists in 24 matches.
Ryan started 22 of the 24 matches she played in for Gotham this season, helping lead the club to the NWSL semifinal. Ryan won back to back NWSL championships in 2022 and 2023, the first with Portland Thorns and then with Gotham after she was traded there before the 2023 season.
Ryan’s breakout season in 2024 led to her first call-up to the senior national team for the USWNT gold medal victory tour in October. She earned her first cap on October 24 in the 3-1 win against Iceland. She came off the bench in the 0-0 draw at Wembley against England on November 30 and started and provided an assist in the 2-1 win against the Netherlands earlier this month.
Ryan started her professional career with Portland after being drafted sixth overall in the 2021 NWSL draft. She made 12 starts and 28 appearances for Portland in two seasons. She won the NWSL Shield in her rookie season with the Thorns and was in the starting lineup for their 2-0 win over Kansas City Current in the 2022 NWSL Championship Final. Ryan was traded to Gotham in January of 2023 in a three-team deal. She made the most appearances for Gotham in 2023 and again won a championship, starting in the 2-1 win over the then OL Reign in the 2023 NWSL Championship.
(via FBref.com)
Ryan will be the second starter from Gotham’s team last year to join the Dash this offseason. Midfielder Delanie Sheehan signed with Houston as a free agent earlier this month. Ryan will give the Houston attack some real firepower that they lacked in 2024. She ranked among the best in all of NWSL in progressive carries and progressive carries received, which highlights her ability to stretch the field and create offense.
