Houston Dash goalkeeping coach & ex-MLS stopper Matt Lampson sacked for alleged player relationship

The Equalizer reported on Wednesday that the alleged relationship between Lampson and a player at the Houston Dash began last year and came to light with the club's front office at the beginning of 2024. The report says that Lampson, who played in MLS for 10 years, didn't report for pre-season at the end of January and the Dash told the publication that his contract was terminated on March 18.

A spokesperson for the Houston Dash said: "Houston Dash goalkeeper coach Matt Lampson was terminated on March 18. We respect the privacy and confidentiality of our players and employees and will not comment on specific details of club employment matters."

The NWSL's rules and policies specifically prohibits player-coach relationships due to a 'power imbalance'. It is an issue that has been in the spotlight in England lately, too, after Women's Super League club Leicester opened an investigation into manager Willie Kirk over an alleged relationship with a player.

It was only two years ago that an investigation into the NWSL and U.S. Soccer found that the organizations failed to protect players from sexual and emotional harassment and several coaches were banned as a result of the Yates report's findings. The investigation found multiple incidents of coach wrongdoing across the women's game, as well as a series of systems that enabled such behavior to continue for years.

Houston has its home opener in the NWSL on Saturday, when it takes on Racing Louisville.