Soccer Tejas
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Yes, the Houston Dash are still on the market — and while ownership assures the team isn’t going anywhere, fans are understandably anxious.
Earlier this year, owner Ted Segal engaged investment firm PJT Partners to explore strategic opportunities, including a possible full or partial sale of the club.
The move has raised more than eyebrows in Houston, where the memory of the beloved WNBA Houston Comets still stings. The Comets — one of the most dominant women’s teams in professional sports — folded in 2008 after relocation attempts failed, leaving fans with a deep sense of loss.
For many, the Dash’s unstable past and uncertain ownership future has triggered a kind of sporting PTSD.
Lingering Doubts: Will the Dash Stay in Houston?
During a recent Zoom call with the media, Angela Hucles Mangano, General Manager and President of Women’s Soccer for the Houston Dash, addressed the sale process, the team’s future, and ongoing player development. While she emphasized the Dash are moving forward with focus and purpose, the unspoken question hung in the air: Will the team be sold to an investor who intends to relocate the franchise?
Hucles Mangano responded with measured optimism and clarity:
“Right now, we’re really excited about the interest in the Houston Dash during this process, and I like to go to one of the staples of playing — we can only control what we can control. For the players, for the staff, we are business as usual and we have the goal in front of us, and we have our objectives and the things that we are looking to accomplish. That’s how we show up day-to-day.”
And perhaps most reassuring to fans:
“I’ve heard Ted Segal himself say, there is no intention to move this team out of Houston. That’s something that we obviously feel good about. We’re excited about where the future of this club could lead, for sure.”
Despite the noise surrounding the sale, Hucles Mangano and head coach Fabrice Gautrat are focused on building a long-term culture within the club. Since arriving in late 2024, Hucles Mangano has emphasized establishing a “trust-first” environment for players, staff, and fans.
Still, the timing of the sale has left some supporters questioning how the team can expect to grow its fan base and develop its roster amid such uncertainty.
Longing for Local Talent
Among the many concerns fans raise, one hope continues to resurface — seeing more homegrown players on the field.
For a time, the Dash had just that. Michaela Abam, the first player to come out of the Dynamo/Dash Youth Academy and sign with the first team, brought local pride to the roster. So did Barbara Olivieri, a standout from Katy, Texas, who made waves with her dynamic play. Today, both are with clubs in Liga MX Femenil.
Other Texas-born talents like Diana Ordóñez, now with Tigres UANL, and Zoe Matthews, currently on loan at DUX Logroño in Spain, have passed through the Dash or local pipelines but have yet to find a long-term home in Houston.
Hucles Mangano, however, made it clear that homegrown development is part of the club’s long-term vision.
“That is something that’s constantly part of our conversation in terms of how we construct our roster,” she said.
“It’s exciting to have a player from our own backyard joining the Houston Dash. It’s obviously all the things I spoke about earlier in terms of how many different pieces go into that process of talent identification, but also bringing in a player into our environment. To reach some of the goals and objectives in terms of being that global destination… those are definitely areas that are constantly on our radar and being evaluated.”
When asked if the team was looking to bring players from Liga MX Femenil or South America, she stated that the Dash is also actively scouting talent from both markets because offer both competitive edge and strong fan crossover potential in Houston’s diverse soccer community.
What Comes Next?
As the 2025 NWSL season continues, the Dash remain in playoff contention trying to make it for the first time in club history while building momentum with a revamped roster.
Yet the biggest question may not be answered on the field: Who will own the Dash in 2026—and will that new owner honor Houston as the team’s forever home?
Like the old staying goes only time will tell.
