By OkayGoal
NWSL Women · Group Stage · 23 Oct 2026
Chicago Red Stars1 – 3Houston Dash
Samantha Staab 90+3′Leah Klenke 4′
Maggie Graham 54′
Clarissa Larisey 79′
Half-time 0–1 · Venue: Northwestern Medicine Field At Martin Stadium · Referee: Monroy
Houston Dash beat Chicago Red Stars 3-1 in the NWSL on Friday night at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston. The visitors led from the 4th minute, and Samantha Staab’s goal in the third minute of stoppage time was Chicago’s only reply.
Klenke and Graham put Houston in control
Klenke’s early goal gave Juan Carlos Amorós’s side a lead they carried into half-time. She was booked for a foul in the 51st minute, but Houston struck again three minutes later.
Graham scored in the 54th minute from a Lisa Boattin assist. It was the only shot Graham took all night, and she was rated 7.85, the highest on the pitch. Boattin, rated 7.38, created 4 chances in total.
Larisey made it three in the 79th minute, set up by Kalyssa van Zanten. She needed only 28 minutes on the pitch to get on the scoresheet. Sarah Puntigam had been cautioned for Houston two minutes earlier, and Chicago’s Tessa Elise Dellarose was shown a yellow card in the 87th minute.
Staab, assisted by Egizii, pulled one back deep into stoppage time. It came far too late to matter.
Houston’s 65% possession and 493 passes
The visitors had 65% of the ball and completed 385 of their 493 passes. Chicago managed 172 accurate passes from 263. Houston also had more shots, 12 to 8, with 5 on target against 3, and their expected goals figure of 1.48 was more than double Chicago’s 0.65.
Chicago’s one clear edge came from set pieces. They won 5 corners to Houston’s 2, though they also committed 17 fouls to the visitors’ 12.
Chicago’s run of five defeats
The Red Stars are 16th, bottom of the table, with 17 points from 29 games. They have won only 5 times all season and carry a goal difference of -52. This was their fifth consecutive defeat, and they have conceded three goals in every one of them. Their last point came in a 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns.
Houston are 12th on 33 points after their ninth league win of the campaign. They now have four straight victories over Chicago, a run that includes a 5-0 win on 20 August.
Both sides are back in action on Sunday 1 November. Chicago travel to third-placed Washington Spirit, who have 52 points, while Houston host Portland Thorns, sixth on 47.
