The Houston Dash, fresh off their best season since entering the NWSL, have garnered a little more respect. The Dash will open the 2021 Challenge Cup at home on April 9th, defending the title they won at the same tournament to start the 2020 campaign. The respect that comes with being a winner is a long time coming for the Houston franchise that began play in 2014. The Dash have teased not only the fanbase but the league with being contenders only to show their true colors as pretenders. Now in 2021, they are being taken seriously, as they should be.