2024 Year in Review: Harris County Precinct 4 Delivers Progress

Growing up, Houston Dash superstars Michelle Alozie, Jane Campbell, and Paige Nielsen didn’t always have easy access to soccer fields. From climbing fences to playing against walls, they managed to find space anywhere they could just to get some touches on the ball. Now, thanks to a partnership with the Dynamo & Dash Charities and Chevron, Precinct 4 is working to make the world’s most popular sport more accessible for the next generation. In early December, Commissioner Lesley Briones unveiled a state-of-the-art mini-pitch at Freed Park in the heart of Spring Branch, offering the community a dedicated space to play, practice, and connect. More than just building pitches, the collaboration is creating lasting opportunities for local youth—especially for young girls. "We’re coming together so we can make the community better for you, because that’s what you deserve,” Commissioner Briones said, addressing the young soccer clinic attendees. “I’m a mom of three little girls, and to see you here and know that every time I come to Freed, I will see you and your families playing—this is building community unity.” The Houston Dash’s Goals for Girls program hosts free soccer clinics for girls ages 6-14, in partnership with Chevron. While young players scrimmaged against the Dash players, Valerie Holland, executive director of Dynamo & Dash Charities, shared how this initiative helps girls feel confident stepping into the sport. “It’s really important to get girls into playing soccer. We’re really proud to have the Houston Dash, which is the only professional women's soccer team in the state of Texas.” Holland said. "Getting to see our Dash players out here today [at the clinic] also encourages them, and getting to meet some of their heroes here in a park is really fun, too." Irene Flores, corporate affairs advisor at Chevron, added that with over 7,000 employees who live and work in Houston, the company was proud to give back and bring opportunities to kids in Spring Branch that they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Growing the game The Freed Park mini-pitch joins a growing network of pitches, including two at Burnett Bayland Park, that serve as community hubs. Situated near Freed’s grass fields, the pitch offers an all-weather training ground for players to hone their skills. Houston Dash forward Michelle Alozie noted how this type of pitch provides a unique advantage for developing players. "This surface is definitely faster,” Alozie said. “I wish I had this growing up, because I would be [a] really technical [player] ... Then when you transition to grass, it's so much easier, and everything slows down there for you. It definitely helps people develop and grow when they get onto the grass field.” In the United States, having a space to play soccer isn't a given. Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell, who has traveled the world as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), said that goals at soccer fields are often rented or owned by someone, making them less available to the public compared to equipment like basketball hoops. "If you look at any other country in the world, there's some form of soccer pitch available to the public, and I think that is definitely lacking the United States,” Campbell said. “[Having pitches like this] would definitely grow our game as a whole.” Inspiring the next generation For defender Paige Nielsen, growing up in Nebraska meant even fewer opportunities to play soccer. Cornfields, not soccer fields, were the norm in her hometown. At the same time, Nielsen said there generally weren’t a lot of opportunities for women to play sports. She credits her passion for soccer to a chance encounter with USWNT legend Mia Hamm, who inspired her as a child. “When I went to a game where the [USWNT] played at the University of Nebraska, Mia Hamm spoke and said, ‘You could become a professional one day, too,’” Nielsen recalled. “And it was my dream to go to [the University of] North Carolina since I was five. I drew myself in [Hamm’s] jersey, and I was able to walk on [to the team]. [Her appearance at community events] impacted me at a young age. I can’t imagine how far that will go for a lot of the young kids we have here today.” The Freed Park pitch arrives at an exciting time as Houston prepares to host games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It represents not just a place to play, but also a commitment to expanding opportunities for young players to discover the sport, develop their skills, and build confidence on and off the field. “[Soccer] changes people's lives. You go through adversity, you overcome so many battles, you fail over and over and over again, and it's almost congratulated in a sport, but maybe not in a classroom,” Nielsen said. “[Soccer] teaches you so many things, and also as a kid, it makes you feel welcomed and embraced for whoever you are."