Dash

Houston Dash travel to Oregon to face reigning NWSL Champions

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The Houston Dash will wrap up a three-game week on Sunday as they travel to Oregon for their first trip to Providence Park this season to face Portland Thorns FC. 


Houston split the first two games this week after defeating the Orlando Pride 3-1 at BBVA Compass Stadium last Wednesday. Rachel Daly scored the second brace of her career and set a new career high by scoring her sixth goal of the season. Thembi Kgatlana also reached a milestone with her first professional goal for the club. The South African's stoppage-time goal was the first by a Banyana Banyana player in league history.  


With the victory, Houston secured the season series against Orlando for the first time. Houston defeated Orlando on June 27 in Florida and have won three of the last four games against the Pride.  


This is the third and final meeting of the regular season between the Dash and the Thorns. Houston fell to Portland 3-1 in their last meeting on June 22 at BBVA Compass Stadium.  


Portland has won two out of their last four games which includes a draw against Sky Blue FC. The Thorns have scored 24 goals this season and Christine Sinclair and Lindsay Horan have combined more than half of the team's tally with 14. Sinclair is also tied for the most assists in the league with five. 


The Thorns will be without Andressinha and Midge Purce on Sunday due to a right ankle sprain. 


Looking ahead for the Dash, the team will travel to Maryland next weekend prior to the July FIFA break. Kealia Ohai, Rachel Daly, Sofia Huerta and the Dash return to BBVA Compass Stadium on Aug. 5 to host Christen Press and Utah Royals FC.