Houston Dash sign former fifth overall NWSL draft pick and USL Super League Player of the Year Emina Ekić
The 26-year-old rejoins the NWSL after successful stints in the USL Super League, and Australian A-League
LARNE, NORTHERN IRELAND - FEBRUARY 25: Emina Ekic of Bosnia & Herzegovina celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024/25 Grp B1 MD2 match between Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Inver Park on February 25, 2025 in Larne, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Houston Dash announced the signing of Emina Ekic through the 2027 season with a mutual contract option for 2028 following a transfer from USL Super League club, Lexington SC. Ekić earned the USL Super League Player of the Year award in the league’s inaugural 2024-2025 season with Spokane Zephyr FC.
The 26-year-old earned 10 goals and six assists at the time, and a spot on all-league first team. View this post on Instagram The midfielder has represented Bosnia and Herzegovina, since 2023 with appearances in the UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying matches totaling four goals across 18 appearances. The Louisville native continued her soccer career out of high school at the University of Louisville and began her professional career in the United States after being selected by her hometown club, Racing Louisville via the NWSL College Draft in 2021.
There Ekić played two seasons 1106 minutes across 34 appearances in the NWSL regular season with the club, but did not make the NWSL playoffs in either season. At the end of the 2022 season Ekić was loaned away to the A-league in Australia to join Melbourne City, where she eventually signed a two-year contract and helped the club finish atop the standings in the regular season and a spot in the 2023-2024 grand final against Sydney FC which the team ultimately lost 1-0. Through five matches the Houston Dash currently hold a spot in the NWSL playoffs, and have been a strong team on the defensive front in 2026.
The Dash recently lost forward Makenzy Robbe to a season-ending knee injury creating a need for another attack-minded midfielder or forward like Ekić. The Dash play their next match at home on Friday, May 1, against the Seattle Reign.