HOUSTON (Monday, April 5, 2021) – The Houston Dash unveiled the 2021 Luv Ya Dash secondary kits this morning, honoring NASA and Houston’s contributions to America’s space exploration, and marking the debut of the first alternate jersey to include the new hexagonal crest as well as the club’s quasar element from the crest. The Dash aim to honor different parts and features of the city of Houston and its culture with the team’s alternate kits, with this year’s focus being on NASA and H-Town’s […]

HOUSTON (Monday, April 5, 2021) – The Houston Dash unveiled the 2021 Luv Ya Dash secondary kits this morning, honoring NASA and Houston’s contributions to America’s space exploration, and marking the debut of the first alternate jersey to include the new hexagonal crest as well as the club’s quasar element from the crest.

The Dash aim to honor different parts and features of the city of Houston and its culture with the team’s alternate kits, with this year’s focus being on NASA and H-Town’s legacy at Space City USA. This year’s Luv Ya Dash jersey emphasizes the Dash’s traditional Space City Blue on a white base, and incorporates the quasar shape into the jersey fabric, also featured in the new Dash crest. Located in the bottom-left corner of the jersey is a “Luv Ya Dash” print in a NASA inspired typeface. Last year’s first Luv Ya Dash jersey was an ode to Houston’s first football team, The Oilers, and their iconic home located in downtown Houston, the Astrodome. “The city of Houston has a legacy of innovation that our club strives to emulate and celebrate,” said Club Creative Director Juan Loya. “NASA’s pioneering leadership in space exploration and research serve as an inspiration for our team, and we hope to pay homage to that history and future achievements with these jerseys.” The first 2021 Luv Ya Dash jersey was gifted to NASA Chief of Exploration Mission Planning Office Nujoud Merancy, who is also a longtime Houston Dash fan. Merancy is responsible for the team of engineers and analysts designing, developing and intergrating NASA’s human spaceflight portfolio beyond low earth orbit, including missions like the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, Space Launch System, Exploration Ground Systems, Gateway, and the Human Landing System. Merancy and her team are working on the Artemis program, and plan to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. “The jersey is a great example of the community of women striving for excellence. Both on the field of soccer and in the fields of STEM, it takes a team to accomplish great things,” said Merancy. “Incorporating a tribute to NASA in the jersey is a great tribute and a reminder of the need for all of us to work together.” Both the primary and alternate Dash jerseys prominently feature the globally-recognized cancer strike-through logo of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center across the chest. The Club’s Houston-inspired motto “H-Town Hold It Down” is printed on the inside of the neckline of the jersey as a reminder to players and supporters alike of their obligation to represent the city every time they pull on the shirt. Both jerseys are available for pre-order at shop.HoustonDash.com. The Dash are set to kick off their Challenge Cup title defense on Friday, April 9 when they welcome the Chicago Red Stars to BBVA Stadium for the opening game of the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by Secret Deodorant. The rematch of the 2020 Challenge Cup Final is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CDT as forward Kealia Watt and Chicago return to East Downtown for the first time since 2019. The match will air live on CBS SportsNetwork.

ABOUT THE HOUSTON DASH

The Houston Dash are a National Women’s Soccer League club that began play in April 2014 for the start of the league’s second season. The Dash were the first expansion club in the NWSL, joining the eight original members that launched the league in 2013, and the team captured its first league the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup on July 26, 2020. The NWSL is supported by Canada Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation. It is the top-flight women’s professional soccer league in North America, featuring many of the top players from the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as talent from around the world. The 24-game regular season runs from April through October. The team trains at Houston Sports Park (HSP), the premier training facility in Southeast Texas, and plays at BBVA Stadium in downtown Houston. For more information, visit www.HoustonDash.com or call (713) 276-GOAL.