NEED TO KNOW:
· Houston has four points from their first two road games of the season
· Kickoff for Saturday’s game against the Portland Thorns is slated for 5:00 p.m. CT at Providence Park. The game will be available on Twitch
· The Dash return to PNC Stadium on May 29 to host the North Carolina Courage
HOUSTON – The Houston Dash will wrap up its three-game road trip on Saturday, May 21 against the Portland Thorns. Kickoff is slated for 5:00 p.m. CT and the game will be available to stream on Twitch.
Houston will travel to the West Coast for the first time this season. The Dash enter in fourth place in with a 1-1-1 record, just behind the Thorns. Saturday’s match up marks the 20th time that the two teams will meet in all competitions. The last time Houston traveled to Portland on Oct. 6, 2021 the Dash earned a 3-2 victory at Providence Park.
The Dash are coming off a 1-1 draw with Racing Louisville FC last Saturday. The Dash took the lead midway through the second half off a set piece. Racing’s goalkeeper made the save on Houston’s initial shot on goal but redirected the ball to forward Nichelle Prince, who sent the ball into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game. Racing’s Jessica McDonald scored the equalizer late in the second half.
Saturday’s match will mark the third game in eight days for Portland who played to a 1-1 draw against reigning NWSL Champion Washington Spirit on Wednesday evening. Portland played to a 0-0 draw against OL Reign on May 13.
The Dash will return to PNC Stadium to host the North Carolina Courage on May 29 in the first home game since the home opener on May 1. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. CT. Fans interested in attending the match can purchase tickets here.
| WHO: | Houston Dash at Portland Thorns |
| WHEN: | Saturday, May 21 – 5:00 p.m. CT |
| WHERE: | Providence Park – Portland, Oregon |
| STREAMING: | Twitch |
Here are three key points ahead of Saturday’s match:
1. WRAPPING UP IN THE WEST: Saturday’s match will be the final game of Houston’s three-game road game slate. The Dash opened the 2022 NWSL regular season at home but have since then been on the road in Kansas City and Louisville. The Dash hold a 1-0-1 record in this stretch and have won four points from this road trip. Saturday’s match will be the first time this season that Houston will travel to the West Coast and play a road match against a new opponent that was not in the same group as Houston in the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup.
2. EMILY OGLE’S RETURN: Midfielder Emily Ogle made her return to league play on May 14 against Racing Louisville FC. Ogle, who suffered a season-ending injury last August, entered as a second half substitute and played 18 minutes in Houston’s 1-1 draw against the second-year expansion club. Ogle joined the Dash ahead of the 2021 regular season and began her professional career with Portland. The Thorns drafted Ogle in the third round of the 2019 NWSL Draft and she made eight appearances for Portland.
3. PORTLAND’S ATTACK: The Thorns lead the NWSL in shots on goal and are fourth in the league in goals with four. Portland’s attack includes forward Sophia Smith, who has recently become a mainstay with the USWNT. Smith is tied for second in the league with most shots on goal with seven on the year and scored in Portland’s midweek match against the Spirit.
