HOUSTON (April 20, 2024) – The Houston Dash fell 4-1 to the Portland Thorns on the road earlier today at Providence Park.
The Thorns took the lead in the sixth minute after Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell got a touch on Sophia Smith’s cross, the ball fell to Christine Sinclair for the opening goal of the match.
Portland doubled their lead in the 27th minute following a turnover in Houston’s half of the field. Smith dribbled into the box and found the bottom corner of the far post for her third goal of the season.
Houston’s Diana Ordóñez found the back of the net in the 49th minute following a combination between Michelle Alozie and Avery Patterson. Alozie whipped in a cross that was brought down by Amanda West and Ordóñez capitalized on the space to score her third goal of the season.
Portland added the third goal of the night after Smith found Olivia Moultrie inside the box. The 18-year-old found the back of the net, narrowly avoiding Campbell’s hand. Janine Beckie added a fourth goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Additionally, defender Sophie Schmidt reached 10,000 minutes played in the regular season tonight. She is the fourth Canadian player to reach the milestone and 46th player to surpass 10,000 minutes in the NWSL.
Houston’s first shot on target came in the 14th minute but the Thorns goalkeeper was well positioned to handle Elin Rubensson’s shot.
Defender Sarah Puntigam blocked a shot from Sinclair in the 16th minute of the game at the top of the box. This is the fifth start of the season for the defender, who first joined the club last summer.
Campbell made her second save of the match in the 40th minute. The goalkeeper was well positioned to handle Sinclair’s first-touch effort near the penalty spot.
Rubensson forced a save in the 43rd minute of the match with a long-range effort tipped over the crossbar by the Thorns goalkeeper.
Forward Yuki Nagasato had an opportunity in the 81st minute of the match following a free kick won by Ordóñez. Rubensson found Nagasato in front of the goal, but her header was off target.
Houston nearly equalized in the 85th minute after a turnover in the final third, following pressure from Ordóñez to Portland’s Shelby Hogan. The Mexican international blocked Hogans initial attempt to clear the ball, the deflection narrowly missed the inside of the near post.
The Dash close the month in Salt Lake City when they face the Utah Royals. The team returns to Shell Energy Stadium on Sunday, May 5 to host the Kansas City Current. Fans can purchase tickets here.
