Photo copyright Joseph Buvid-Imagn Images
The Houston Dash’s playoff hopes are officially over.
Houston was eliminated from NWSL postseason contention Sunday after falling 3-2 to the Washington Spirit at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Dash twice erased one-goal deficits, but Clara Luvanga’s 84th-minute goal ultimately gave Washington all three points.
Tara Rudd opened the scoring for Washington in the 11th minute, but Miljana Ivanović equalized just before halftime. Sofia Cantore restored the Spirit’s lead in the 51st minute before Ivanović scored again eight minutes later to bring Houston level for a second time.
The Dash could not find another equalizer after Luvanga’s 84th-minute winner for Washington.
The Spirit controlled 60 percent of possession and outshot Houston 25-13.
With the loss, Houston falls to 8-13-6 with 30 points and sits 12th in the NWSL standings with three regular-season matches remaining.
The Dash entered the season with early momentum, earning a franchise-best nine points through their first four games. Houston ultimately struggled to sustain that start and fell into the lower half of the standings as the season progressed.
The season also featured a major change on the sidelines, as head coach Fabrice Gautrat and technical director Twila Kilgore were relieved of their duties in September, with assistant coach Jaime Frias taking over as interim head coach.
Houston will now miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Dash have made the postseason just once in franchise history, qualifying in 2022 before losing 2-1 to the Kansas City Current in the first round.
Despite the disappointing result, Sunday did produce a notable individual milestone. Jane Campbell set a new NWSL single-season saves record, surpassing her previous mark of 113 saves from 2024 and finishing Sunday with 114 saves on the season. She entered the match with 109 saves.
The Dash will return to action after the international break when they host the Orlando Pride on October 18.
