Three things we learned: Houston Dash vs NJ/NY Gotham FC

(image via Aldo Canale)

The Houston Dash picked up one point at home against NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 0-0 Friday night. After each game this season, we’ll bring you three key takeaways from the match. Here is our next edition, following the Dash's draw at home.

The Defense Is Coming Together

In the first two games, the defense conceded preventable goals. However, in Friday night’s match against Gotham FC, the backline showed greater cohesion and defensive awareness. Paige Nielsen, Katie Lind, and Natalie Jacobs, playing their third game together, displayed improved communication and positioning in helping post the team’s first clean sheet of 2025. As the season progresses, the defense is showing it can be one of the toughest to break down in the league.

Bench Substitutions Change Games

The saying goes, “goals change games,” but for the Dash, it's more like “subs change games.” Head coach Fabrice Gautrat has mastered the art of impactful substitutions, knowing precisely when and how many to make. While integrating fresh legs may seem straightforward, making the right choices at the right moment is crucial. Once again, Gautrat’s decisions—bringing on Evelina Duljan, Ramona Bachmann, and Messiah Bright—boosted the Dash’s attacking presence in the final third, though they couldn’t quite convert their chances. Substitutions remain one of the team’s biggest strengths this season.

Grinding Out Results

Securing points in the NWSL is never easy, but the Dash have shown resilience and a belief in their ability to fight. This marks a significant shift from last season when falling behind or being unable to get a goal often meant losing confidence. Even without their best performance, the team demonstrated grit, pressing aggressively and grinding out a 0-0 draw for one point at home.