Houston Dash lost 0:1 to NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL Group Stage on 2 August 2026. Sam Kerr scored the decisive goal in the 46th minute after her side had missed a penalty earlier in the first half. Gotham moved clear at the top of the table while Houston remained rooted 12th.
L. Boattin picked up a yellow card for Houston in the fourth minute before the visitors saw a penalty saved by the keeper in the 23rd. Kerr could not convert from the spot, but she made no mistake when given another chance straight after the restart. Her goal in the 46th minute broke the deadlock and Houston were forced to chase the game.
Gotham made three changes across the second half, bringing on M. Purce, R. Lavelle and J. Shaw. Houston responded with substitutions of their own, removing Boattin in the 55th minute before adding Colaprico and Nielsen late on. The away side held their nerve despite pressure from the hosts, who had been the more active side in terms of shots.
Houston created more chances, registering 12 shots to Gotham's six, with 7 on target against 3. The hosts won 19 aerial duels, level with the visitors, but Gotham's goalkeeper made 6 saves to Houston's 2. Possession was split 60-40 in Gotham's favour, and the visitors completed 403 successful passes to 229.
The result leaves Gotham top of the standings with 46 points from 24 games. Houston sit 12th with 26 points after 23 matches and will need to find a way to turn possession into goals if they are to climb out of trouble.