Lisa Boattin | Photo provided by the Houston Dash
As Italian international Lisa Boattin is starting to find out, everything’s bigger in Texas. Now, she wants to make sure the Houston Dash become one of those big things everyone keeps talking about.
The veteran defender joined the Dash via a transfer from Serie A Women’s Juventus where she played since 2017, and fresh off a EUROs semifinal appearance with the Italian women’s national team. Now, her sights are set on the National Women’s Soccer League, and with the Dash just barely behind the playoff line, she knows she has to go big with her new team to fight for that berth.
“The playoff format is great, it’s extra motivation,” Boattin exclusively told The Equalizer. “You can finish anywhere in the top eight and still have the chance to win it all. This for me is a motivation to believe. It’s the beauty of this league.”
The change from Europe to the United States couldn’t be more palpable for the 28-year-old defender from Portagruaro, Italy. From the NWSL’s intense style of play to the local Texas cuisine, there’s a lot to adapt to. After a year she describes as a bit different for her – both on and off the pitch – the opportunity to play in the NWSL couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
Access the best women’s soccer coverage all year long
Start your FREE, 7-day trial of The Equalizer Extra for industry-leading reporting and insight on the USWNT, NWSL and beyond.
