Soccer Tejas
As the Houston Dash embarks on another new chapter in its history, two key elements were officially introduced to the media: their newly appointed President of Women’s Soccer, Angela Hucles Mangano, and recently appointed Head Coach, Fabrice Gautrat.
Together, they are in charge of getting the Dash to a play-off position. They represent a fresh vision for the future of the club—one that focuses on building trust with fans, using data-driven decisions to shape the roster, and creating a culture of resilience and excitement both on and off the field.
Building Trust
The word trust was used quite a few times in the press conference and it’s something that the team has been losing from the fans because of their last couple of seasons due to reasons on and off the field.
Many fans as well as the media still don’t know exactly what happened with the Dash’s past coach Fran Alonso who was hired in December 2023 left in June due to an “illness” as explained by the club and never came back.
The last mention of Alonso was in October 2024 when the team officially parted ways with him. The Spaniard coach is currently the head coach of Club Deportivo de La Coruña and when asked about his health and leaving the Dash he said there was no “illness” and couldn’t go into details due to an agreement. Perhaps with this new leadership fans will be able to get more insight on the team they love.
At the press conference Hucles Mangano, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and veteran of women’s soccer, made it clear of the importance of the fan’s trust, community engagement, and getting people to believe in the team.
In her role as President of Women’s Soccer for the Dash, she wants to focus on connecting more deeply with the fans who have supported the team since its inception, through all the challenging losses and sparse wins.
“We want to engage more with our fans,” Hucles Mangano shared in a recent press conference. “It’s what Fabrice (Gautrat) said. What value are we adding to our fan base? Some fans have been here from the very beginning and continue to show up. We want to give more people reasons to show up even more consistently. I believe there are two types of people: those who give trust until trust is no longer given, and those who need to build into that trust. Ultimately, we want to give people reasons to trust the type of success we’re hoping to build within this organization.”
Hucles Mangano’s approach reflects a commitment to cultivating lasting relationships with both long-time fans and newcomers. She recognizes that trust takes time to build, but she is determined to give fans a reason to stay engaged and excited about the Dash’s future. The team is focusing not only on success on the field but also on the commitment to the short-term and long-term goals of the organization.
Data-Driven Decisions on the Roster
Another key area where the Dash are embracing innovation is in their player recruitment. Fabrice Gautrat, who recently joined the team as head coach and became the sixth boss to take reign of the Houston-based team, has made it clear that data and analytics are central to how the team is being built for the future.
“One thing that has impressed me since coming on board is how much data is used to influence the decisions we make within our roster, and you’ve seen already some of those players come in,” Gautrat said. “It’s more than just what looks good. There is a lot of detail and data behind that and that’s important, especially in this day and age. The other thing is that if you look at the track record of this league, what you find is sometimes teams could be first and last within a year. Sometimes those margins are very small, and sometimes all you need is a couple of different players, maybe a different training environment, to just change things. I’m very excited with the decisions that have been made and with the current roster we have.”
The use of advanced analytics to guide roster decisions could be a game-changer for the Dash. By prioritizing data, Gautrat can identify players who may not always stand out on paper but fit into his broader vision for the team’s success and desire of versatility.
A Culture of Trust and Resilience
For Gautrat, it’s not just about the technical and tactical aspects of the game—it’s about building a culture within the team that reflects trust, resilience, and unity. He wants the Dash to be a team that plays with a unique identity, one that stands out in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
“First thing I’ll say is that the fans deserve more,” Gautrat expressed. “Angela (Hucles Mangano) touched upon some of the goals that we have this year, and obviously, making the playoffs is one of them. For me, one thing I want us to create is something that goes beyond just that. When you see the Dash, you see that there’s something unique about how they play. There’s a culture, there’s trust and there’s resilience that really shines through the team. For me, that’s what we’re after and that’s what we want to create. That’s what you can expect from us as a team.”
Gautrat’s words reflect his belief that success is built not just on individual talent, but on the team’s collective strength and mental toughness. He envisions a Dash squad that plays with intensity and resilience, refusing to back down in the face of challenges. This new approach to team culture, combined with strategic roster decisions, could be the key to unlocking the Dash’s full potential in the seasons to come.
As Gautrat mentioned in the conference he believes that a year can make a difference from a team being in last to being in first.
Looking Ahead
The fans, who have supported the team through thick and thin, are at the heart of this transformation. Hucles Mangano and Gautrat have made it clear that the Dash’s success will be measured not just by trophies, but by the strong relationships they build with their supporters.
So, is this the beginning of a new Dash era? Like the saying goes only time will tell.
