SAN DIEGO (March 14, 2026) – The Houston Dash kicked off the 2026 NWSL season with a 1-0 road victory over San Diego Wave FC at Snapdragon Stadium with a first-half goal from forward Makenzey Robbe. The win marked Houston’s first season-opening victory since 2017 and the first ever triumph on the road during the opening weekend of the regular season.
Houston opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time. Robbe finished at the far post with a right-footed strike from inside the box in the final moments of the first half. That goal was her first for the Dash and midfielder Maggie Graham provided the assist to give Houston the lead heading into the break.
Captain Jane Campbell was called into action early in the match as she denied Dudinha at the near post in the ninth minute. The ball trickled towards the inside of the far post and defender Malia Berkely was well positioned to clear the ball.
Houston’s second most dangerous opportunity of the first half came in the 27th minute after Graham found midfielder Linda Ullmark near the top of the box. The 19-year-old created space for a shot that hit the far post and she collected the rebound. Her next effort was deflected by the Wave backline towards forward Kate Faasse, but her shot was saved by San Diego goalkeeper DiDi Haracic.
Faasse, Ullmark, defender Leah Klenke and forward Kat Rader all made their professional debut this evening and this was the first time the team used four first-year players in the opening match of the season since at least 2020. Graham was the only first year player to play in the first match of the season in 2025 and the team had two players make their professional debut in the opening game of the 2024 season (Avery Patterson and Kiki Van Zanten). Ullmark and Faasse left the match in the 57th minute and Faasse suffered a left leg injury prior to leaving the match. The team will share an update on the forward in the coming days.
Campbell came up with two key saves in the second half to preserve Houston’s lead. The Dash captain first denied Kristen McNabb in the 73rd minute after a ball played down the center found San Diego's offense on the right side of the box. Campbell was called into action again in the 77th minute, making a save at the near post to deny Lia Godfrey.
Campbell finished with nine saves tonight, the most in a shutout victory since Houston defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 on July 22, 2018. The goalkeeper earned her 43rd clean sheet in regular season play tonight and she now holds the fifth most clean sheets in league history. Nicole Barnhart currently holds the league record in regular season play with 52 shutouts.
The Dash return to Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, March 21 to host Boston Legacy FC in the home opener, powered by Shell Energy. Fans in attendance will receive a 2026 Dash Season Passport, a collectible designed for autographs and stamps throughout the season. Tickets for that match and all Houston Dash matches are available HERE via Tixr, the Club’s new official ticket provider.
