Clarissa Larisey shows signs of a quick adaptation with goal, assist in 1st Houston Dash start - ICYMI
Clarissa Larisey capped a great weekend for CanWNT stars playing abroad, as she scored a goal and had an assist in her first start for the Houston Dash in a 3-0 win vs. the San Diego Wave in NWSL action.
Making just her third appearance for the Dash after joining the club from Crystal Palace for a fee late in July, Larisey shone in her 53 minutes on the field, helping the Dash to a massive victory.
Facing off against a strong Wave side that currently sits third in the table, the Dash were able to pick up a massive road victory, with Larisey chipping in with the winning goal in the effort. 
Yet, it came after a good showing for the 26-year-old Canadian, who was tasked with leading the line for her club in her first start. 
Larisey's heat map from this game, showing that she did well to drop deep and get in behind as a #9. In particular, her ability to play off the shoulder of her defender was quite important (SofaScore)
Despite having just 19 touches as her side kept only 32% of possession and completed 71% of their passes, Larisey was incredibly efficient with her attacking actions - she took four of those touches in San Diego’s box, generating her goal and assist off the only shot she took and chance she created, respectively.
First start, first NWSL goal 💥
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 8, 2025
Clarissa Larisey grabs the lead for the Houston Dash! pic.twitter.com/OrBjUHkkQL
Overall, though, both actions were exactly what you’d want to see from a striker in her position, as the goal came off a play that saw her find the space to get open and finish off a great attacking sequence from her team (slotting the ball past CanWNT teammate Kailen Sheridan in the San Diego goal), while her assist came from a nice cutback to Yazmeen Ryan after some nice hold-up play.
Clarissa Larisey sets up Yazmeen Ryan to double Houston's lead 👀 pic.twitter.com/GpAYbDOUuD
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 8, 2025
To get an idea of how well she executed those plays, consider this - her goal was worth 0.52 xG, and her assist was worth 0.32 xA, as it wasn’t as if she lucked her way into her goal contributions, either, as she made sure that her opportunities were high-quality ones.
That’s not surprising to see, however, as Larisey has proven that she can be a dangerous attacking threat at past clubs. She didn’t score in her 11 game stint for a Crystal Palace side that got relegated from the WSL at the end of the 2024-2025 season, but she had a pair of seven-goal seasons (all competitions) for BK Häcken in 2023 and 2024, after scoring 12 goals in 12 games for Celtic in her last of two seasons she also spent in Scotland.
Now, the challenge will be for her to regularly contribute at this NWSL level, with the league regarded as one of the more competitive circuits in the world, but this is a good start.
Plus, it’s worth noting that she’s come to this Houston team at the perfect time, as they’re now undefeated in six matches (three wins, three draws) since the start of August, pushing them to within three points of Racing Louisville in the NWSL’s final playoff spot.
First start ✅
— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) September 8, 2025
First goal ✅
First assist ✅
Eventful evening for @LariseyClarissa! pic.twitter.com/fXXNzSXf7U
Therefore, look for her to build off this strong debut going forward. She’ll need to build up her fitness, as she’s now played just 91 minutes across her three appearances, hence why she only went 53 minutes in this game, but this is a good start as she gets up to full speed.
Having made just 12 appearances for Canada, this could be a good way for her to earn a more prominent role in Casey Stoney’s team going forward, too, given that she’s only made two appearances under her new coach, something that could be soon to change if she can find some form in Houston - especially if they can push towards the playoffs for the first time in a few seasons.
For a full update of a busy weekend of CanWNT players playing abroad, check out Mitchell Tierney’s form guide on OneSoccer.
