Houston Dash Set for Crucial Clash Against Racing Louisville FC The Houston Dash will conclude their three-match road trip on Saturday, July 18, when they face Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, with live coverage available on NWSL+. The match marks a significant moment for both teams, as Houston seeks to build on their recent performance while Racing Louisville aims to end a five-match winless streak. Houston earned their first point of the road trip last weekend with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Denver Summit FC. Forward Kat Rader scored her fifth goal of the season, extending her lead among rookie scorers in the league. Midfielder Linda Ullmark, making her NWSL debut, netted the equalizer in the second half, marking her first goal in the league. Ullmark also contributed an assist, bringing her total goal contributions to three over her last three matches. Midfielder Maggie Graham, who assisted both goals in the draw, was nominated for NWSL Player of the Week, highlighting her impact on the team’s recent success. Rader’s fifth goal of the season has positioned her as the league’s leading scorer among rookies, while Houston’s first-year players have collectively contributed 14 goal-related actions (eight goals, six assists) this season. The team’s ability to score equalizing goals has been a key factor, with six such goals recorded this season. These efforts have helped Houston secure five points from losing positions, the second-highest total in the NWSL. Defensively, Houston continues to rely on captain Jane Campbell, who made eight saves against Denver, including a crucial stop in stoppage time to preserve the draw. Campbell’s performance matched her second-highest save total of the season.#racing_louisville_fc #houston_dash #kat_rader #linda_ullmark #maggie_graham
Dublin Native Emma Sears Makes Impact with USWNT Ahead of SheBelieves Cup in Columbus Emma Sears, a forward for the U.S. women’s national team, is set to make her mark in her hometown as the SheBelieves Cup returns to Columbus for the second time. The event, which took place in 2024 before Sears gained national team recognition, now marks a significant milestone in her career. Sears, a native of Dublin, Ohio, will represent the U.S. in her hometown for the first time, with over 30 friends and family members in attendance to support her. Sears, who has made 14 appearances for the national team since October 2024, expressed her excitement about the opportunity to play in Columbus. “It’s really nice to be home,” she said, highlighting the comfort of having familiar faces in the stadium. Her journey to the national team began with a strong foundation in central Ohio, where she played for Dublin Jerome High School and later joined Ohio State University. After earning All-Ohio honors as a junior and senior, Sears transitioned to collegiate soccer, becoming a three-year starter for the Buckeyes. During her five seasons at Ohio State, she scored 25 goals, recorded 15 assists, and tallied two hat tricks, joining a select group of players with multiple hat tricks in program history. Sears’ professional career took off when she was selected 28th overall by Racing Louisville FC in the NWSL draft. She quickly made an impact, breaking into the starting lineup within two months and setting a rookie record with five goals in her first season. Her performances caught the attention of U.S. national team coach Emma Hayes, who acknowledged the challenges of transitioning from a non-traditional path to the national team.#shebelieves_cup #uswnt #ohio_state_university #emma_sears #racing_louisville_fc
