Houston Dash at Portland Thorns: Highlights, stats, and quotes
(image via Houston Dash)
The Houston Dash conceded twice in each half, losing 4-1 to the Portland Thorns Saturday night. Diana Ordóñez scored for Houston to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Portland put the game away late.
MATCH SUMMARY
Portland Thorns FC 4-1 Houston Dash
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Venue: Providence Park - Portland, Oregon
Referee: Danielle Chesky
Assistants: Salma Perez, Bennett Savage
Fourth Official: Christopher Calderon
VAR: Kelsey Harms
Attendance: 17,580
Weather: 69 degrees, scattered showers
SCORING SUMMARY
PTFC: Christine Sinclair (unassisted) 6’
PTFC: Sophia Smith (unassisted) 27’
HOU: Diana Ordóñez (Amanda West) 49’
PTFC: Olivia Moultrie (Sophia Smith) 87’
PTFC: Janine Beckie (unassisted) 90+6’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
PTFC: Christine Sinclair (caution; foul) 20’
HOU: Elin Rubensson (caution; foul) 69’
HOU: Diana Ordóñez (caution; foul) 75’
LINEUPS & STATS
Portland Thorns FC: Shelby Hogan; Reyna Reyes, Becky Sauerbrunn, Isabella Obaze; Marie Müller (Meghan Klingenberg 90+5’), Jessie Fleming (Olivia Moultrie 71’), Sam Coffey, Hina Sugita; Morgan Weaver (Payton Linnehan 71’), Sophia Smith (Ana Dias 90+5’), Christine Sinclair (Janine Beckie 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Kelli Hubly, Lauren Kozal, Meaghan Nally, Olivia Wade-Katoa
Total shots: 15 (Sophia Smith 4)
Shots on goal: 9 (Sophia Smith 3)
Fouls: 12 (Reyna Reyes 3)
Offside: 2 (Sophia Smith and Christine Sinclair tied with 1)
Corner kicks: 0
Saves: 3 (Shelby Hogan 3)
Houston Dash: Jane Campbell; Sarah Puntigam, Sophie Schmidt, Courtney Petersen; Bárbara Olivieri (Yuki Nagasato 67’), Sophie Hirst (Belle Briede 84’), Elin Rubensson, Avery Patterson; Diana Ordóñez, Amanda West (Cece Kizer 67’), Michelle Alozie (Andressa 84’)
Unused substitutes: Heather Hinz, Jyllissa Harris, Havana Solaun, Croix Soto
Total shots: 7 (Elin Rubensson 2)
Shots on goal: 4 (Elin Rubensson 2)
Fouls: 10 (Elin Rubensson 3)
Offside: 2 (Michelle Alozie 2)
Corner kicks: 3
Saves: 5 (Jane Campbell 5)
HOUSTON DASH HEAD COACH FRAN ALONSO
On the approach to the game:
"With the strengths they brought to the game, we had to double up certain positions. So, we trained what that would look like if we did not have the ball. We ended up with a back four, then we would go to our normal three in the back shape when we were attacking. So that is what we worked on during the week. The personnel that we wanted to play tonight, unfortunately they weren't here today due to sickness or injury. So, we had to navigate a different approach this morning and the players did as well as they could tonight."
On the emotions in the group while trying to get everyone ready for the game:
"Yeah, that's why I am proud of the players. It hurts when we lose. Especially in the second half, I cannot blame their attitude. We tried our best. We felt we were having a great game and with all the circumstances, which are things that happen in football, but the team is united. The team is together and understand that this is a long-term project. We believe that we are on the path. Sure, a day like today is disappointing but I know this experience is going to make the group stronger."
HOUSTON DASH FORWARD DIANA ORDONEZ
On the game:
"Coming to Portland is always difficult. They have a loud crowd. We knew that obviously coming off the start of the season that they had, they were going to be super hungry for a win, especially at home. So, coming here, I feel like the odds are usually a bit stacked against you. They're a talented team. They have a lot of good players, so we knew it was going to be difficult, but we had a solid game plan considering all the changes that were made to the team. We did what we could with what was given to us and I'm proud of the group. We just want to regroup and move on."
On how the team is adapting to a new style of play:
"The main thing I want to say is that I trust Fran (Alonso). I trust the system that he's trying to implement for this team. The whole brand and idea that he's trying to bring to this club, I fully trust it. I know the results haven't really showed that we've implemented it as well as we probably could have. We're in a rebuild, whether we want to call it that or not. These things come with time. You have to trust the process. You have to get people on the same page. You have to learn the tendencies of new players. We have even more new players coming in and very talented ones at that. I'm really excited about it. There are growing pains to anything, and this is just one of those things. So, for me, I'm not in panic mode. I'm not feeling like it's not going to click. We're so close. We just have very minor breakdowns that are really costing us, I trust Fran. I trust what he's bringing to this club and the ideas that he's trying to implement. We just need to get on the same page and execute a little bit better."
