Houston Dash begins two-game home streak with loss to Portland

HOUSTON (May 17, 2024) – The Houston Dash fell to the Portland Thorns FC 2-0 at Shell Energy Stadium Friday night after a delay of two hours and 31 minutes before kickoff.

The Thorns took the lead in the 56th minute after Hina Sugita found Ana Dias in the box. Dias’ shot found the bottom corner of the far post for the first goal of the match. The visitors doubled their lead in the 68th minute after Olivia Moultrie finished from a tight angle at the near post.

Dash’s backline had the task of limiting one of the most prolific offensive teams in the league tonight. Defender Courtney Petersen led the team with five punts and Paige Nielsen finished with two interceptions. The duo also led the team with seven digs each against the Thorns.

Goalkeeper Dash Jane Campbell was called into action in the third minute when she got her foot on Sophia Smith’s shot at the near post. Smith finished with two shots on goal against Houston and entered the game with three assists and a goal in her final game. Campbell finished with eight saves against the Thorns. The Dash goaltender currently leads the league with 54 saves.

Houston responded the next minute Sarah Puntigam got a corner. Nielsen was well positioned at the near post but her shot went over the crossbar. Nielsen scored the game-winner last Sunday against Angel City FC at BMO Stadium. She also led the team to their third clean sheet of the campaign.

Before Ramona Bachmann took possession moments later and played a ball into the box to Diana Ordonezbut his head 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 in the 23rd minute after Moultrie went down in the box. Referee Rebecca Pagan reviewed the play and overturned the call after consulting with video assistant referee Shawn Tehini.

Bachmann generated a dangerous chance after recovering the ball in Portland’s half in the 33rd minute. Avery Patterson, but his shot was off target. Bachmann led the team in chances created with four.

Houston’s first chance of the second half came in the first minute after defender Courtney Petersen He changes play and finds Ordóñez at the far post. The striker 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 answered in the 72nd minute after Bachmann found Amanda West make a run in 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 game.

The Dash will close out this two-game homestand on Friday, May 24 by hosting the North Carolina Courage for Asian American and Pacific Islander Night. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. CT and fans can purchase tickets to the match HERE.