According to head coach James Clarkson, there was no specific factor that lifted the Houston Dash into their late-season form.

Heading into Wednesday’s match against Kansas City on a three-game win streak, their longest in the regular season since May/June 2014, Clarkson says it was only a matter of time until Houston was able to click into gear.

“I’m not surprised by it,” he said. “I see them every day and I know what they’re capable of. I’ve seen it in games where we haven’t scored or haven’t kept our lead, but to see this consistency come out is outstanding.”

No. 2 OL Reign is the only team Houston has lost to in their 10 matches since Aug. 1. Winning 3-2 over the top-ranked Portland Thorns on Oct. 6 was validation for the Dash, who refused to let up on Sunday, decisively beating another of the league’s top teams, the North Carolina Courage, 4-1.

Earning three points in Sunday’s win, Clarkson called the triumph a “six-pointer,” as the 2020 Challenge Cup champions moved from fourth to tie with the Courage for third – the highest Houston has ever placed in the final third of the season.

Before Aug. 1, the orange only won five of their 11 matches. Now, they’re one game away from breaking a franchise record for most wins in a season (10).

“We thrive off being the underdog, underrated, whatever you could call it,” said forward Shea Groom. “But this team works hard and I think we can run anyone off of the field, and if we’re having a good day, we’re going to keep putting goals in the back of the net.

“It’s coming together. I think it’s just been a matter of time.”

That's. Our. Captain.@RachelDaly3 | #HoldItDown pic.twitter.com/j6GxFJdfhn

— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) October 11, 2021

With three games left before the postseason, Houston isn’t guaranteed playoffs yet, but claiming one of the six spots shouldn’t be a problem if they continue their unbeaten streak.

Forward Rachel Daly has led the charge in scoring this season with nine goals, four of those coming in Houston’s most recent two games, which were also her first two matches back after her father’s passing. As of Sunday, she sits tied at the top of the scoring leaderboard with Bethany Balcer (OL Reign) and Ashley Hatch (Washington Spirit), and is just one goal away from her own single-season record.

Brianna Visalli has been an up-and-coming star for the Dash, proving her worth when she was named to the starting 11 against Tigres UANL Feminil in a September friendly while international players were away. The midfielder scored in the game and has been making an impact against NWSL competition ever since, slotting one in against Louisville on Sept. 26 and another, as well as an assist, on Sunday.

“She’s scoring goals and she’s creating goals,” said Clarkson. “That’s exactly what we want from the midfield and she’s winning it back, so she thoroughly deserves to be on the team with the way that she’s performing.”

With a full (and healthy) squad, the Dash know they’re in good shape for their final matches of the season against Kansas City, Portland Thorns, and the Washington Spirit on Oct. 31.

After winning last year’s Challenge Cup, the team wanted to prove they weren’t a one-hit wonder. It may have taken them until the last third of the season, but now it’s safe to say: the Dash seem here to stay.

Amid her historic summer on the links, English amateur and rising Florida State senior Charlotte "Lottie" Woad is officially turning pro, accepting LPGA membership two days after nearly topping the 2025 Evian Championship leaderboard.

One week after becoming the first amateur to win a European Tour tournament since 2022 — with the 21-year-old taking the 2025 Irish Open title by a massive six-stroke margin — Woad came within one stroke of becoming the first amateur to win an LPGA major in 58 years.

Sunday's finale saw world No. 25 Grace Kim emerge as the 2025 Evian Champion, with the Australian taking the title following a playoff with Thailand's No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul.

Both Kim and Thitikul finished the tournament at 14-under-par, while Woad trailed a single stroke behind to tie 2021 Evian winner and Australia's No. 5 Minjee Lee for third-place in the LPGA Grand Slam.

Unlike Lee, who banked $547,200 for her efforts, Woad's amateur status means she had to forgo what would have been her share of the $8 million purse.

"I did have a look after and was like, 'oh no,'" joked Woad about Lee's check.

Woad to make pro debut next week

That all changes now, though, as Woad's finish made her the first player eligible to join the LPGA through the governing body's new lite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) program, in which top young golfers amass points to earn pro membership.

While the world's highest-ranking amateur initially said she would take the week to weigh turning pro with returning to Florida State for her final NCAA year, Woad made her decision to turn pro Tuesday morning.

In addition to accepting the LPGA membership, she will also join the European Tour in 2026 — an invite Woad earned with her Irish Open win.

"I have only reached this point in my career through the help and support that I've received from so many people and organisations over many years," Woad wrote in an Instagram post thanking her family and coaches. "I am very excited about this next chapter."

Woad's next chapter is imminent, as the world No. 64 announced her professional debut at the 2025 Scottish Open next week.

The field of established golf pros are already on notice, with Sweden's No. 30 Madelene Sagström warning that "[Woad is] going to take European and American golf by storm very soon."

Tuesday's WNBA tilts feature a season-first clash between two young pro cores, as the No. 11 LA Sparks host the No. 7 Washington Mystics in the teams' last tilt before the 2025 All-Star break.

While Washington is a consistent presence above the playoff line in this season's standings — thanks in large part to the Mystics' two All-Star rookies, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen — LA is still finding their way.

Led by champion veterans Kelsey Plum and Azurá Stevens, the Sparks' roster includes youthful talent like forward Rickea Jackson and rookie guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, with this month's return of guard Rae Burrell from injury also boosting the young LA lineup.

"She's just the energizer bunny," Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said of Burrell. "She puts pressure on the defense. I feel like she's getting in a groove."

Even more, the Sparks are eyeing the return of their 2024 No. 2 overall draftee Cameron Brink, with the forward inching close to competitive play just over a year after an ACL tear ended her rookie campaign.

Currently sitting in a lottery position, LA will aim to dig out a win — and some much-needed midseason momentum — in their last game before the All-Star break:

• No. 7 Washington Mystics vs. No. 11 Los Angeles Sparks, Tuesday at 10 PM ET (WNBA League Pass): Fresh off a Sunday victory over the No. 13 Connecticut Sun, the Sparks will look to claim their first back-to-back home wins this season when they try to upend a Mystics side that's comfortable playing in the clutch.

• No. 6 Indiana Fever vs. No. 13 Connecticut Sun, Tuesday at 8 PM ET (ESPN): The Fever are on a roll, hoping to tack on a third-straight win as they eye a deep post-All-Star run.

The 2025 NWSL season is on summer international break, but many clubs aren't stopping play, with teams competing in strategic friendlies to test their depth and prowess during the long July window.

Last Tuesday, the Houston Dash hosted Liga MX side CF Monterrey, storming past Las Rayadas 4-0 behind goals from defender Avery Patterson and midfielders Delanie Sheehan, Maggie Graham, and Kiki Van Zanten.

The North Carolina Courage then played Liga MX titans Tigres UANL to a scoreless draw in a weather-shortened match on Wednesday.

On Sunday, Racing Louisville tested new and returning players — including star Bethany Balcer — in a domestic clash with regional USL Super League rivals Lexington SC, with the 1-1 draw serving as the NWSL side's tune-up to The Women's Cup, which kicks off this weekend in Brazil.

Meanwhile in Kansas City, the Current kicked off its inaugural four-team Teal Rising Cup tournament on Saturday, securing a 3-0 win over Brazil Série A1 club Palmeiras thanks in large part to forward Haley Hopkins's first-half brace.

The Current will next play in Tuesday's tournament final against Série A1's Corinthians, a team that defeated the Chicago Stars 1-0 in their Saturday semifinal with a last-gasp stoppage-time goal.

How to watch the Teal Rising Cup finale

The first-ever Teal Rising Cup will conclude on Tuesday, with the Chicago Stars and Palmeiras facing off in the mini-tournament's third-place match at 6 PM ET before the KC Current battles the Corinthians for the trophy at 9 PM ET.

Both matches will stream live on ESPN+.

Incoming 2026 NWSL expansion team Boston Legacy FC is making big moves, with two key Monday announcements shoring up the club's place in the larger New England sports ecosystem.

Buying into the Legacy on Monday was Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston, with the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year investing in the club after playing high school ball at Massachusetts's Worcester Academy.

"I'm proud to join the ownership group of the Boston Legacy. This city helped raise me, and the support I felt here shaped so much of who I am," the three-time WNBA All-Star said in a club statement. "And yes... Boston repping Boston just felt right!"

With her investment, Boston joins a growing roster of current and former WNBA stars buying into the NWSL, including Angel City investor Candace Parker, Bay FC advisor Sabrina Ionescu, and Gotham FC minority owner Sue Bird.

Along with their famous new investor, the Legacy also revealed plans on Monday to construct a privately funded, $27 million purpose-built team performance center in nearby Brockton, Massachusetts.

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Slated to open prior to the 2026 preseason, the center boasts a fully outfitted 30,000 square-foot training building, a bubble dome for year-round practice, and six fields of various surfaces — some of which will be available to youth teams in the community.

"Competing at the highest level demands an environment that elevates every aspect of performance — and this new facility is a major step forward in how we support our players every single day," said Legacy controlling owner Jennifer Epstein.

A couple of those incoming players were announced earlier this month, as the Legacy welcomed Bundesliga free agent and midfielder Annie Karich as the team's first signee before inking French Première Ligue forward Aïssata Traoré — the first-ever NWSL player from Mali — late last week.