The Houston Dash will look to build on their 3-1 midweek victory over the Boston Breakers this Saturday as they travel to the Pacific Northwest for a showdown with Portland Thorns FC.
Dash forward Sarah Hagen started her second match of the season on Wednesday and scored her first goal for the club. The forward finished with two goals and almost bagged a hat trick with a long-range shot that ricocheted off the crossbar. Janine Beckie scored her second goal of the season in Houston’s seventh victory of the season, a new record for the club.
Houston currently sits four points shy of the final playoff spot with six games left in the regular season. Houston will look for their first victory in the Pacific Northwest this season as they try to win back-to-back games for the second time this year.
Interim head coach Omar Morales is now 5-4-2 since taking over in June. The first-year head coach is 3-2-0 on the road and the club is one point away from matching the club record for points acquired in a season at 24.
Portland will look to bounce back after a midweek loss in the Midwest. The Thorns fell 2-1 to FC Kansas City after a two-hour rain delay. Portland will be without Tyler Lussi who was suspended earlier this week by the NWSL for unsporting behavior during the Thorns-Red Stars match last Saturday.
With a victory, Houston would improve its record against the Thorns to 3-5-2. Additionally, it would be Houston’s second victory at Providence Park. Houston’s last victory in Oregon was in 2015 with a goal from Jessica McDonald.
Houston returns to BBVA Compass Stadium at 7 p.m. next Sunday to host the reigning NWSL Champion, North Carolina Courage. Tickets for the game begin at $17 and are available at HoustonDashSoccer.com.
