Fabrice Gautrat has been dismissed from his position as head coach of the Houston Dash, effective September 13. The decision follows a challenging season for the team, which currently sits at the bottom of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) standings. Additionally, the Dash announced the departure of technical director Twila Kilgore.
Search for New Leadership Underway
Jaime Frias, an assistant coach, has been appointed as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. The organization has confirmed that the search for a new head coach is already underway.
As of now, the Dash hold a record of 7 wins, 12 losses, and 5 draws (26 points) and are coming off a recent defeat to Utah Royals FC, losing 1-0 on Saturday. This reflects a season marked by struggles, having not secured a win since August 19, with only six games left in the regular season.
Angela Hucles Mangano, the president of women’s soccer for the Dash, expressed a commitment to evaluating the team’s performance. “Our conviction in this group has not wavered. We believe in the quality of this team and its ability to succeed both this season and beyond,” she stated. Mangano emphasized the importance of aligning the team’s trajectory with its ambitions for future success.
Gautrat, who was appointed ahead of the 2025 season, is noted for finishing with a record of 8-12-6 (30 points) in his first season, missing the postseason by six points. Prior to leading the Dash, he served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Red Stars and the North Carolina Courage.
Kilgore, who recently returned to the Dash in February, had previously held the role of interim head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team and initially joined the Dash as an assistant coach from 2019 to 2021. Hucles Mangano acknowledged their contributions, stating, “We want to thank Fabrice and Twila for their commitment to the organization and the work they have done on behalf of this organization.”
The Houston Dash aim to stabilize their current situation and build a more competitive squad as they navigate through the remainder of the NWSL season.
Why It Matters
The firing of Gautrat and Kilgore represents a pivotal moment for the Houston Dash as they seek to improve their performance in a challenging NWSL landscape. The decision is part of broader organizational changes aimed at enhancing the team’s competitiveness and aligning with their long-term aspirations.
