Taking a look at the Houston Dash depth chart
(image via Aldo Canale)
The NWSL season is still over a month away with the Houston Dash kicking off on March 14 against the Washington Spirit at Shell Energy Stadium. Preseason is underway for the Dash under a new coach and with a handful of new players on the roster.
The Dash added possibly three new starters this offseason and more depth to the roster. We haven’t see the team play under new head coach Fabrice Gautrat yet so it’s impossible to know what formation they will use or how they will play. But we can take a look at a guess at what the team’s depth chart might look like in a 4-3-3 (created by us, not official). The Dash have a lot less holes than the Dynamo do and may need to make some subtractions before they make any additions.
Goalkeepers
Jane Campbell is the no doubt starting keeper. Abby Smith was brought in this offseason as a veteran who has lots of experience in the league. She should give Houston a solid option if Campbell misses any time. Heather Hinz did well in limited action last year but will the team carry three goalkeepers? Hinz was loaned to the USL W briefly this winter and another loan spell could be an option if the Dash need to open a roster spot.
Defenders
Houston’s back line has a lot of moving parts. Tarciane is off to France but there are still a number of options. Natalie Jacobs, Katie Lind, Jyllissa Harris, Paige Nielsen and Sarah Punitgam can all play center back. Zoe Matthews was listed as a defender on the preseason roster as well as the team is going to try her in defense. Allysha Chapman has played as a center back in a back three but it is likely her or Nielsen starts at left back if the Dash use a back four. Christen Westphal looks to be the only option at right back now, unless Avery Patterson comes back to defense and plays on one side as a wing back.
Midfielders
The midfield looks to be set. Delanie Sheehan was brought in from Gotham this offseason where she started in their midfield. She should slot into the 8 role of a 3 person midfield. Sophie Schmidt or new signing Danielle Colaprico will likely start as the 6. Schmidt can also play as a center back, if needed. If Matthews doesn’t play in the back line, she can play anywhere in the midfield as well. Belle Briede and Kiki Van Zanten also provide depth for any of the central roles. The 10, playmaking role, looks to be Barb Olivieri’s. Yuki Nagasato has yet to report to preseason and Maggie Graham is fresh out of college.
Forwards
Diana Ordonez is going to spearhead the attack again, looking to find her goal-scoring form under a new coach and system. Messiah Bright gives the Dash a solid backup option while Amanda West can play anywhere across the front three. Gautrat is hinted at playing Patterson higher up the field, meaning she could start opposite Yazmeen Ryan on the wings. Ramona Bachmann also has not reported to preseason, bringing her future with the team into question. Michelle Alozie is a bit of a Swiss Army knife in that she can play in a number of roles. Ryan Gareis provides speed off the bench, especially late in games.
