Match Recap & Highlights: Portland Thorns vs Houston Dash

Coming off their statement 4-1 victory in Orlando versus the Pride, the Thorns barely squeaked out a measly 1-1 draw tonight at home against the Houston Dash.

Houston's rookie of the year contender, Kat Rader, would put the Dash on the board early, and Marie Müller would desperately deliver the equalizer for the Thorns in the 85th minute.

This result extends the winless streak for the Thorns at home as of late, having dropped a loss and two draws in their last three at Providence Park.

Lineups & Prematch

In comparison to the lineup that was rolled out in Orlando a week ago, Robert Vilahamn opted for a few changes to his starting XI tonight.

MA Vignola was back in the starting lineup following the hip injury that kept her sidelined last Saturday, replacing Marie Müller. Similarly, Turner rotated to the bench in exchange for a start for Morgan Weaver.

Highlights

8' It's all about control

Tordin threads the needle in the box for an (offside) Sophia Wilson, demonstrative of the control Portland has had early. But they were surprisingly unable to capitalize.

10' Dash on the board

Talk about threading the needle: the Dash just fly through Portland's defense. Kate Faasse finds rookie Kat Rader for her 10th goal of the season, and Houston jumps out to an early 1-0 lead.

36' Portland still searching

The Thorns continue to seek the equalizer in the first half, but having drawn a corner they come up empty handed.

The home team seems to have regained some form of possession following the Houston goal, but still struggled to find any sense of a threat to the Dash defense.

39' Perry draws the yellow

Kiki Van Zanten gets tangled up with Jayden Perry near midfield, earning herself a yellow card and Portland a free kick opportunity. Again Portland is able to create some commotion in the box, but Houston's air tight defense ensures that it's nothing too threatening.

45' Soph shoots

A desperation heave, Wilson takes the shot from outside the box in hopes to get something going for her team in Portland and is denied by Jane Campbell.

+1 minute of stoppage time added

Halftime: Thorns 0, Dash 1

46' Hanks starts hot

Tordin finds Hanks with plenty of goal in front of her, but with eyes a bit too big Hanks fires wide of the goal. Nevertheless, the Thorns have come back onto the field with an energy that is tangible to start the second half.

59' subs for Portland

Reilyn Turner and Marie Müller are Portland's first substitutions of the match, replacing Morgan Weaver and MA Vignola.

61' Fleming fires

What ends with a far range shot on goal from Marie Müller began as a far range shot from Jessie Fleming, and in between it all was an opportunity for Wilson.

Despite the flurry of chances for Portland offensively, still the scoreline remains at a painful 1-0.

81' free kick flies

Tordin brings Portland the closest they've been to finding their place on the scoreboard after Turner draws a foul and a free kick for the Thorns. A sliding Tordin makes contact on the free kick, but sends it wide of the goal.

85' WHAT DID I JUST WITNESS... a Müller goalllllll!!!

The Thorns finally find some room, unconventionally

This is exactly what we have seen the entire game, but this time the Thorns dig deep and write a different ending.

There were four defenders hounding Sophia Wilson in the box and in desperation searching for an inch of room Wilson pushed the ball in front of her. Out of nowhere flew in Marie Müller, seemingly stealing the ball from Wilson. She took the shot – and scored!

+4 minutes of stoppage time added

Final: Portland 1, Houston 1

Final Thoughts

What I'm left with following the conclusion of this match: did the Houston defense play well, or was Portland's offense lacking?

There is a lack of creativity for the Thorns offensively, and in games like this it becomes increasingly clear just how much this team relies on its big players to deliver big plays.

Without a streaking Sophia Wilson or Pietra Tordin in space, there's not much this team is left with. While yes, you have Morgan Weaver, Caiya Hanks and Reilyn Turner back on the field – they're just not yet in the goal scoring form they presented prior to their respective injuries.

With this result being the perfect example, Portland has had far too many instances this season where a different outcome could have entirely rewritten their season.

Luckily for them, the opportunity to make up for this lost ground is being served to them on a silver platter: in the four games that remain for the Thorns in the NWSL regular season, the teams they match up against are all sitting below the playoff line.

However, can they rewrite the script that's played out for them lately with an offense that performs like it did tonight?