Houston Dash host Chicago Stars in crucial home NWSL clash
The Houston Dash host Chicago Stars FC at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. CT in a pivotal NWSL match. Houston chases a second straight win after rallying past North Carolina, while Chicago tries to snap a scoreless skid under interim coach Karina Báez before the Dash face an extended road stretch.
Fresh off a 3-2 road victory over the North Carolina Courage, the Dash return home with momentum and a clear need for points. Chicago Stars Houston Dash history favors the visitors on paper, but both sides enter with urgent table-climbing goals in a week that will test Houston's depth.
Key Takeaways
- Kickoff is 7 p.m. CT at Shell Energy Stadium, broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
- Houston (5-8-5, 20 pts) seeks back-to-back wins; Chicago (4-14-1, 13 pts) has been held scoreless in consecutive games.
- Clarissa Larisey's two-goal substitute rally powered the Dash's latest comeback win.
- Former Dash defenders Michelle Alozie and Ryan Connaughton face their old club for Chicago.
- Houston travels to Bay FC on Aug. 23 before a long road run, making home points critical.
Why does this Chicago Stars Houston Dash match matter so much?
The Dash sit seven points clear of Chicago but cannot afford to slip before leaving Houston. After Wednesday, they head to San Jose to face Bay FC on Sunday, Aug. 23, kicking off a demanding stretch away from Shell Energy Stadium. Chicago, meanwhile, needs any result to climb from 13 points and halt a slide that included a 1-0 loss at Seattle Reign FC on Aug. 14.
Houston has earned 10 points from losing positions this season, the second-most in the NWSL, continuing a comeback identity that set a league record with 12 such points last year. Every home point now buys breathing room before the road grind.
How did Houston and Chicago arrive at this matchup?
The Dash rallied late in North Carolina on Sunday evening. Forward Clarissa Larisey scored twice in the second half, becoming the first Dash player to net multiple goals off the bench since the inaugural 2014 season. Kate Faasse and Avery Patterson also contributed, while defender Lisa Boattin assisted Larisey's game-winner. Miljana Ivanović made her NWSL debut in the win.
Chicago's latest outing was its first under interim head coach Karina Báez, named Aug. 12 after the club parted ways with Martin Sjögren. Lorne Donaldson returned as interim director of coaching through season's end. The Stars added forward Simone Charley from Brooklyn FC on Aug. 13, but Mallory Swanson must spark an attack that has gone blank in back-to-back games. Jordyn Huitema remains on the season-ending injury list.
Who are the players to watch on Wednesday night?
Larisey earned a Player of the Week nomination and is Houston's sixth different game-winner this season. Dash rookies have combined for 12 goals, the most by any NWSL team. On the Chicago side, Connaughton leads the Stars with two assists but missed the Seattle match with a knee injury. Alozie, who spent five seasons with Houston from 2021 to 2025, rejoined Chicago after Nigeria's run at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Chicago holds a 16-10-8 historical edge over Houston dating to 2014, per Chicago Stars FC. For more offbeat sports angles, browse our Bizarre World coverage.
Where can fans watch Houston Dash vs Chicago Stars?
The match streams on CBS Sports Network with kickoff at 7 p.m. CT. Dash fans at Shell Energy Stadium receive $10 in concession credit with every ticket purchased, according to Houston Dynamo FC. Houston returns home Sept. 12 to host Utah Royals FC for Noche Latina.