:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45636412/TIS_2828.0.jpg)
It's here! Houston Dash fans can mark their calendars as the National Women's Soccer League announced Thursday the 2015 league schedule. The Dash's second season will have a total of 20 games, according to a press release from the league.
The opening game for Houston will be at the BBVA Compass Stadium April 10 against the Washington Spirit. The 10-game home schedule for the team will also include two visits from the 2014 NWSL Champions FC Kansas City May 2 and July 29.
All nine of the league's teams will play a 20-game regular season schedule, set to begin in April and finish up in September. Teams will play an unbalanced schedule, facing four opponents three times and the remaining four twice. FC Kansas City, the Washington Spirit, Sky Blue FC and the Chicago Red Stars all appear three times on the Houston schedule.
NWSL has also scheduled in a two-week break in June during the group stage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. The Houston Dash expect to have several players called up to their respective national teams to participate in the tournament. The World Cup is set to begin June 6.
The top four teams will, at the end of the regular season, qualify for the 2015 NWSL playoffs. The two semifinal matches will be on the weekend of Sept. 12 and 13. The championship match is set for the weekend of Sept. 26-27.
Houston's home match ups will include four Saturday games, three Friday dates, two Sunday matches and one Wednesday game. All home matches are set to start at 7:30 p.m. CT.
This year will mark the second season in franchise history for the Houston Dash. Thus far, Head Coach Randy Waldrum and managing director Brian Ching have made quite a number of changes in the off-season, gearing up the team for a second year. Two of the biggest changes have been the signings of USWNT stars Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian. From the Canada Women's National Team, Houston has brought in defender Allysha Chapman.
How do you think the second season in the NWSL will go for the Houston Dash?