Houston Dash wrap road trip at Racing Louisville FC
The Houston Dash Racing Louisville NWSL clash wraps a three-game road trip Saturday, July 18, at Lynn Family Stadium. Kickoff is 7:00 p.m. CT on NWSL+. Houston arrives off a 2-2 draw with Denver Summit FC and a 4-3 win over Racing in April, while Louisville seeks to snap a five-match winless streak.
Key Takeaways
- Houston closes its three-match road trip versus Racing Louisville on July 18 at 7:00 p.m. CT, streaming on NWSL+.
- The Dash took their first point of the trip with a 2-2 rally against Denver Summit FC.
- Kat Rader leads Houston and NWSL rookies with five goals; Racing is winless in five after a 2-0 loss to Bay FC.
- Louisville native Emina Ekic could face her former club; Houston won the April meeting 4-3.
According to the Houston Dynamo FC club preview, Saturday caps a tough stretch away from Shell Energy Stadium. For more odd and unexpected sports-desk coverage, browse Bizarre News & Florida Man on BlasterPost.
When and where is Houston Dash Racing Louisville kickoff?
Racing Louisville FC hosts the Houston Dash at Lynn Family Stadium on Saturday, July 18. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT, matching Goal.com's listed 8:00 p.m. ET start, with live coverage on NWSL+.
Club and stream guides both point fans to NWSL+ as the way to watch the houston dash racing louisville fixture online.
How did the Dash reach this road finale?
Houston earned its first point of the three-match road trip last weekend by rallying twice in a 2-2 draw with Denver Summit FC. Forward Kat Rader scored her fifth goal of the season, then midfielder Linda Ullmark netted the equalizer early in the second half for her first NWSL goal.
Ullmark also added an assist and has contributed to three goals over her last three matches. Midfielder Maggie Graham earned an NWSL Player of the Week nomination after helping set up both goals, including her second assist of the season.
Rader alone leads Houston with five goals and sits atop the league among rookies. First-year Dash players have combined for 14 goal contributions—eight goals and six assists. Houston also leads the NWSL with six equalizing goals and ranks second with five points taken from losing positions.
Captain Jane Campbell made eight saves against Denver, including a stoppage-time stop that preserved the draw. Defender Avery Patterson is available again after a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation and leads the club with 22 tackles won.
Why does the Racing Louisville rematch matter?
Houston already beat Racing 4-3 on April 3 at Shell Energy Stadium in a seven-goal thriller that was the first NWSL match to feature four penalty-kick goals. Kiki Van Zanten scored twice, with Rader and Sarah Puntigam also on the scoresheet; Puntigam converted the winner deep in stoppage time.
Saturday may also mark midfielder Emina Ekic's return to Louisville. The Louisville native began her pro career with Racing after going fifth overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft, scored the club's first regular-season goal, then joined Houston in April after USL Super League Player of the Year honors with Spokane Zephyr FC.
Racing enters looking to end a five-match winless run after a 2-0 loss to Bay FC. Sarah Weber leads Louisville with three goals, while Emma Sears, Taylor Flint, Kayla Fischer, and Lauren Milliet each have two. Head coach Bev Yanez guided Racing to its first playoff berth last season.
The Dash then return home Friday, July 24, to host Bay FC for Global Futbol Night at Shell Energy Stadium.