HOUSTON (May 17, 2024) – The Houston Dash fell to Portland Thorns FC 2-0 at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday night following a two hour and 31-minute delay before kickoff.
The Thorns took the lead in the 56th minute after Hina Sugita found Ana Dias inside the box. Dias’ shot found the bottom corner of the far post for the opening goal of the game. The visitors doubled their lead in the 68th minute after Olivia Moultrie finished from a tight angle at the near post.
The Dash backline was tasked with limiting one of the most prolific offensive teams in the league tonight. Defender Courtney Petersen led the team with five clearances and Paige Nielsen finished with two interceptions. The duo also led the team with seven recoveries each against the Thorns.
Dash goalkeeper Jane Campbell was called into action in the third minute when she got a foot on Sophia Smith’s shot at the near post. Smith finished with two shots on goal against Houston and entered the match with three assists and one goal in her last match. Campbell finished with eight saves against the Thorns. The Dash goalkeeper currently leads the league with 54 saves.
Houston responded the following minute after Sarah Puntigam earned a corner kick. Nielsen was well positioned at the near post but her shot skipped over the crossbar. Nielsen scored the game-winning goal last Sunday against Angel City FC at BMO Stadium. She also led the team to their third clean sheet of the campaign.
Forward Ramona Bachmann won possession moments later and played a ball into the box for Diana Ordóñez, but her header was off target.
Thorns forward Janine Beckie hit the far post with a shot from the edge of the box in the 16th minute.
The Thorns were initially awarded a penalty kick in the 23rd minute after Moultrie fell inside the box. Referee Rebecca Pagan reviewed the play and overturned the call after consulting with video assistant referee Shawn Tehini.
Bachmann generated a dangerous opportunity after recovering the ball in Portland’s half of the field in the 33rd minute, she played the ball to Avery Patterson, but her shot was off target. Bachmann led the team in chances created with four.
Houston’s first opportunity of the second half came in the opening minute after defender Courtney Petersen switched play and found Ordóñez at the far post. The forward created space for a shot but hit the bottom of the near post.
Bachmann forced a save moments later with a header that almost found the bottom corner of the near post.
Houston nearly responded in the 72nd minute after Bachmann found Amanda West making a run into the box. The rookie forward forced a save at the near post.
West added another opportunity for the Dash in the 73rd minute after receiving the ball on the left flank and dribbling past three Portland defenders. The rookie forward forced Portland defender Kelli Hubly to concede Houston’s fourth corner of the match.
The Dash close this two-game homestand on Friday, May 24 when they host the North Carolina Courage for Asian American and Pacific Islander Night. The match will kickoff at 7 p.m. CT and fans can purchase tickets for the game HERE.
