New look Houston Dash fall to Thorns FC

The new look Houston Dash dropped a key contest 3-1 against Portland Thorns FC at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston.

Houston played its first match following the FIFA break and since the addition of Sofia Huerta and Taylor Comeau from the Chicago Red Stars. Both players started on Friday night and Clare Polkinghorne also made her Dash debut against Portland.

Tobin Heath opened the scoring with a quick goal in the ninth minute. Christine Sinclair played a through ball in Heath’s direction, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic dummied the pass, and Heath placed her finish past Jane Campbell for a 1-0 Portland lead.

Three minutes later, Huerta equalized with her first goal in a Houston Dash uniform. Kyah Simon’s pass inside the area was deflected by Emily Sonnett and Adrianna Franch misplayed her clearance attempt. The ball fell to Huerta, who slotted her home finish past the Thorns FC keeper to level the score at 1-1.

Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic provided Thorns FC with the lead with a goal in the 33rd minute. Grnogorcevic initial strike was stopped by Jane Campbell but the Thorns FC midfielder headed the loose ball off the far post and into the back of the net.

Houston had an excellent chance to equalize again in the 65th minute but were unable to place a quality shot on frame. Kyah Simon’s ball fell to Ohai inside the six-yard-box. Ohai’s shot was blocked and Huerta’s follow up attempt failed to reach Franch.

Christine Sinclair any hopes for a Dash comeback with a late goal in the 83rd minute. Sinclair fired a high strike from distance, Campbell fumbled the ball through her hands and it fell into Houston’s goal.

With the loss, Houston’s record falls to 3-5-5 (14 pts) and the club now sits in seventh place in the NWSL. With the victory, Thorns FC move up to fourth place with a 4-5-5 record (16 pts).

The Dash will look to rebound when they face the Orlando Pride next Wednesday on the road at Orlando City Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 CT.