Houston Dynamo vs Portland Thorns Final Score: Thorns defeat Dash 2-0

Lindsey Horan may have crushed Houston’s playoff hopes.

After a great road performance in Boston on Wednesday, the Dash traveled to Portland in search of three points and their second-straight victory. The Thorns, however, had other plans Sunday night, as Portland thoroughly outplayed Houston to earn a 2-0 victory in front of 19,672 supporters at Providence Park in Portland.

Amandine Henry put the match away with a goal in the 48th-minute. Nadia Nadim floated a cross towards the far post and Henry placed her header past a diving Jane Campbell.

While Houston’s inability to defend headers served as the main culprit for the loss, the club was also unable to find the back of the net. Rachel Daly received a red-card in the 79th minute after her forearm connected with Emily Sonnett’s face, nine minutes after she earned her first yellow. The second half was a physical battle as Janine Beckie, Camille Levin, Cari Roccaro, and Daly each received a yellow, while Thorns Dagný Brynjarsdóttir and Christine Sinclair were also booked.

The Thorns defender continued her great spectacular run against her former club, as she assisted on Lindsay Horan’s 14th-minute goal. Klingenberg delivered a perfectly weighted ball over Houston’s backline, connected with Lindsey Horan’s run toward goal and the midfielder headed her finish past Campbell. Klingenberg earned her fifth assist of the season on the goal.

Horan has played well against Houston this season. She netted a heartbreaking equalizer against the Dash in July, a contest that also saw Carli Lloyd questionably sent off.

With the loss, Houston remains in seventh place but sit six points back of the Orlando Pride, who hold the fourth and final playoff spot. The Dash will look to earn a crucial three points next Sunday against the North Carolina Courage at BBVA Compass Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT.

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