Dash washed out by red-hot Thorns
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash faced a tough task against the Portland Thorns Friday night at Shell Energy Stadium. Portland came into the match on a five-match winning streak, lookning to make it six. Ahead of the match, the club honored those affected by the recent inclement weather, paying respects to those who lost their lives and had damage to homes and property. After the national anthem was played, lightning struck in the area, sending both teams back to their locker rooms.
After a two and a half hour hiatus as storms rolled through downtown Houston, the game resumed with additional warm-ups before the commencement of the first half. Following a last-minute winner on Sunday, head coach Fran Alonso made a single change to last week’s starting eleven, with Cece Kizer returning to the front line after recovering from a concussion, replacing Amanda West.
The initial moments of the match showcased an open game, with both teams launching attacks and engaging in back-and-forth exchanges near each other's boxes. The Thorns looked to have a breakthrough when Olivia Moultrie seemed to be fouled in the penalty box by Barbara Olivieri in the 23rd minute. Upon review by the Video Assistant Referee, the decision was overturned and the penalty kick was waved off. Despite several attempts from both sides to secure a goal before halftime, they fell short.
The score remained 0-0 at the half, with Jane Campbell proving instrumental for the Dash against the Thorns, making four crucial saves and exhibiting composure during one-on-one situations. As captain, she once again led the team by example, setting the tone for the upcoming second half.
The second half saw the Dash pressing early for a goal. Diana Ordonez's effort from outside the box hit the post and Romana Bachmann's subsequent header was saved by Thorns goalkeeper Shelby Hogan. Houston’s failure to capitalize on these opportunities would haunt them. A quick throw-in by the Thorns caught the Dash defense off guard, allowing Hina Sugita to slip through and find Ana Dias unmarked in the penalty box. Dias capitalized on the opportunity, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner for her first NWSL goal to give the Thorns a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute.
Portland sought to solidify their advantage, exploiting spaces between the Dash’s midfield and defensive lines. Janine Beckie's pass found Olivia Moultrie, who breezed past Courtney Petersen and scored with a low, hard shot, extending Portland's lead to 2-0 in the 68th minute.
The final whistle blew as midnight approached in downtown Houston, with the Thorns claiming victory with a 2-0 scoreline. Despite a valiant effort from the Dash, who matched one of the league's top teams toe to toe for much of the game, their inability to convert opportunities in the final third cost them dearly.
The Dash will return home to face the North Carolina Courage on Friday, May 24 at 7:00 PM, with the match streaming live on NWSL+.
