An opening goal gave the Portland Thorns a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dash at BBVA Stadium this evening.
Portland got on the board in the opening minute after Thorns forward Sophia Smith dribbled past defender Katie Naughton and poked the ball into the back of the net.
Dash forward Veronica Latsko and defender Jamia Fields led the charge for Houston in the next four minutes. First, with a dangerous cross from Fields into the heart of the box in the third minute. A few minutes later Latsko just missed a through ball inside the box.
Houston continued to press throughout the first half, finding opportunities in Portland’s box. In the 33rd minute, Naughton forced a corner kick. Houston midfielder Emily Ogle served the ball into the box to find midfielder Gabby Seiler who headed the ball inches wide of the goal.
The Thorns almost doubled their lead in the 55th after Smith tested her luck from the top of the box, missing just wide of the right side of the goal.
Houston will host NJ/NY Gotham FC visit BBVA Stadium next week for the first time this regular season. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on Aug. 1 and fans can follow the action on Paramount+ and Twitch internationally.
