After league break, Fran Alonso remains absent from Houston Dash

A major club figurehead was missing as training resumed Wednesday morning in Houston, Texas: Fran Alonso. The head coach of the Dash has continued his leave of absence into a fourth week.

A spokesperson from the Dash said: "Assistant coach Ricky Clarke continues to lead the team until Fran is cleared to return." No further timeline regarding Alonso's absence was given.

The Spaniard was last at the club's training ground on June 26, preparing the team for an away match against the Kansas City Current. Per the Dash, Alonso was subsequently diagnosed with an illness and did not travel. He did not return the week after, for training or the defeat away to the Chicago Red Stars on July 6.

"If one us is to fall ill, like with what's happened to Fran, then I just step into the role, I just know the game plan, we're all on the same page," Clarke told reporters in Kansas City, on June 27.

Clarke, who has been an assistant with the club since 2023, has taken charge of the team for the past two matches – a 2-0 defeat to the Current, and a 1-0 defeat to the Red Stars.

Since Clarke assumed the role of acting head coach, there have been no official updates or information from the club regarding Alonso or his illness mentioned on June 27.

"Thinking of him every day"

Speaking to the media after the Chicago defeat, club captain Jane Campbell said that all the players were "all thinking of him [Alonso] every day" while he was away from the team. She also commended the players and staff for maintaining the standards during this uncertain period.

"I think the staff and everyone up in leadership has done a really great job handling Fran's absence. Again, we miss him greatly and hope he is back soon," Campbell said.

After the Chicago match, the National Women's Soccer League took its annual summer break. A league-wide mandated stop in club operations for players and coaches.

Of course, international players, like Campbell, still have to report to their respective nations. For them, the NWSL's summer break inconveniently takes place during a FIFA window.

Now, it is back to work. As teams return to action and prepare for the upcoming NWSL x LigaMX Femenil Summer Cup. A new tournament that will compete while regular league play is on pause due to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

READ MORE: Get to know the LigaMX femenil teams playing in the NWSL's Summer Cup

Campbell, who remains absent from Houston due to her call-up to be an alternate with the USA national team at the Olympics, also said that she was looking forward to the break for her Dash teammates. Insisting it was an ideal time to get space from the league and refresh.

"I think this break will be a good reset for all of us to take a look in the mirror," the Dash captain said. "I hope everybody goes home and shuts everything off for a few days, and clears their minds."

Houston is currently on a five-match winless run, in which they have failed to score in all five of those matches (372 minutes). The Texas club sits 12th in the 14-team NWSL table, ranks 13th for goals scored, and 10th for goals conceded.

The Dash's next match will be back in Kansas City against the Current, on Saturday, July 20, in the brand-new NWSL x LigaMX Femenil Summer Cup.

Alongside Campbell, Houston's European internationals, Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland), Elin Rubensson (Sweden), and Sarah Puntigam (Austria), are also on a break from the Dash. Michelle Alozie will be with Nigeria for the duration of their Olympic campaign.

Houston Dash and Dynamo owner Ted Segal was in Texas yesterday to introduce former USA goalkeeper Tim Howard as a minority owner of the clubs. There was no mention of Alonso's future or status during his media availability.