The Houston Dash extended their four-game unbeaten streak after a 1-1 draw with Portland Thorns FC at BBVA Compass Stadium this evening.
Dash forward Janine Beckie scored her first goal of the season in the 8th minute from a shot near the penalty spot. Canadian international Nichelle Prince found forward Rachel Daly on the right edge of the box, the England international dribbled into the box and her low cross found Beckie 13 yards away for her first goal of the year.
Portland scored the equalizer off a free kick in the first minute of second half stoppage time. Midfielder Allie Long suffered a foul in Houston territory and midfielder Lindsey Horan’s curling shot to the top corner of the left post secured a point for the visiting side.
Houston almost doubled its lead in the 16th minute when Daly’s low cross into the six yard box was cleared by defender Emily Menges moments before Prince could make contact with the ball.
Houston continued to apply pressure in the first 30 minutes as Beckie forced a save from Franch in the 26th minute with a shot from the edge of the box.
Portland’s best opportunity of the first half came in the 34th minute after defender Cami Privett cleared a cross inside the box. The rebound fell to forward Christine Sinclair near the penalty spot but her shot to the far post was deflected by a lunging Jane Campbell who made her fourth consecutive start of the season. Campbell’s goals against average during Houston’s unbeaten streak is 0.50 per game. She improves her record to 2-1-2 on the season.
Midfielder Amber Brooks’ free kick found forward Carli Lloyd inside the box but her header went wide of the near post in the 59th minute.
Four minutes later a cross from defender Poliana found Privett inside the six yard box, but her header was too high to sneak under the top corner of the far post.
Lloyd found Prince making a run into the box in the 71st minute that forced Adrianna Franch into a one-on-one duel outside the six yard box. Franch forced Prince to dribble away from the near post creating space for her to punch the ball and quell the danger.
Lloyd was ejected from the match in the 92nd minute after she disputed a 50-50 ball with Mallory Weber near midfield. The Dash are 2-1-2 since Lloyd returned to the club in June.
The Dash next welcome rising U.S. Women's National Team star Mallory Pugh and the Washington Spirit for the second match of a three-game home stretch next Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the game are available here.
