Dash grab a point on the road against defending champion Portland
(image via Houston Dash)
After a draw and a win in their opening two matches of 2023, the Houston Dash returned from the international window with a trip to Oregon to take on the Portland Thorns. The game saw two teams attacking from end to end but somehow each side scored just once in a 1-1 draw.
The home side came out on the front foot, forcing Houston to defend from the start. The Thorns early pressure paid off after just nine minutes in. Sophia Smith made a run down the line and was able to get all the way to the end line. She pulled the ball back to an onrushing Crystal Dunn who lifted her shot nicely over Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell and off the crossbar and in.
An early goal on the road against a team like Portland could lead to an avalanche of a game but the Dash responded well. Maria Sanchez caused all kinds of problems down the left side in the first half. She whipped a cross in that Diana Ordóñez got a head on but couldn’t get any direction on as it sailed well over the bar.
Shortly after, Ebony Salmon would get in behind the Thorns defense one-on-one with Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby. Salmon slowed up a little to take the ball onto her right foot but her shot was right at the Thorns keeper. It was a big chance to squander but just moments later, Sanchez would make ammends.
The ball found Sanchez on the left and a failed tackle by right back Reyna Stubblefield had the Dash number 7 off and running. She cut the ball onto her favored left foot and smashed a ball to the back post and past Bixby. A sliding Kelli Hubly tried to prevent the shot but Sanchez found the mark to even things up in the 24th minute.
Portland had chances to regain the lead as the first half continued, with Smith hitting the crossbar and Campbell making fine saves on attempts from Morgan Weaver and Smith. Dunn fired over after a rebound, as well. The Houston defense, let by Campbell, bent but didn’t break and the teams went into halftime tied at 1.
The two teams took turns with attack after attack on both ends of the field in the second half. Both Portland and Houston streamed forward for 45 minutes with the two defenses doing all they could to keep the ball out of the net.
Portland threw everything they could into getting the three points as the game wore on. Morgan Weaver’s lunging shot off a corner in the 89th minute was perhaps the best chance to win it late, but it trickled agonizingly wide.
The Dash will return to Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday, April 19 for a match with the Kansas City Current in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Houston’s next league match will be another road contest as they take on the Washington Spirit next Saturday, April 22.
