Opponents struggled to score against the Houston dash as Jane Campbell scored, and Allie Brisack, Katie Notton, Haley Hanson and Alisha Chapman laid the defensive groundwork.
But a streak that didn’t concede many goals in the first seven games of the season ended on Sunday, as did Dash’s unbeaten streak.
The Dash fell to the Portland Thorns 4-0 after being blocked by their own goal, curtailing Houston’s early victory for the season. The home loss at PNC Stadium ended Houston’s six-game unbeaten streak.
“We had a good series the last six games and unfortunately it ended tonight,” Dash midfielder Marisa Vickiano said. “Do what you can, look at it and analyze how you are going to improve next week.
“You have to have short-term memory. Learn from our games and keep moving forward.
With two goals in the half, the Dynamo couldn’t hold the game.
Dash (3-2-3) looked to record regular-season home shots for the first time since 2015 under coach Sarah Lowton. Dash was embarrassed for 69 minutes establishing the identity of the franchise for the majority of the minute. Without giving up the goal.
Houston last lost its first game of the season on May 1, 1-0 to San Diego.
“The season was not decided at a loss,” Lawton said. “I hope we respond positively. I know this group and they will respond. There is a long way to go.”
Portland (3-1-4) broke through with an own goal in the first minute. Naughton tried to get the ball out of the box, but he kicked it into the top right corner. Campbell is unlikely to stop the ball.
“I don’t think we thought it would start,” Dash midfielder Brie Whistley said. “It was really shocking. It had a snowball effect.
The visiting team scored in the 23rd minute. Sofia Smith converted a penalty with a shot from the right leg from below, next to the left post. Olivia Moultry added the score in the 74th minute with the help of Smith, and with the help of Moultry in the 82nd minute, Smith received a brace to make it 4-0.
“Once the score was 3-0, it was an opportunity for us to see some different things,” Lawton said. “It’s an opportunity to see some different players at different levels that we want to see.”
Dash midfielder Emily Oakley, who is returning from a knee injury, made her first appearance since last July. Oakley forced Bella Pixby to save in the seventh minute, which would have tied.
Portland was under control. Thorns enjoyed an advantage in shooting (20-8) and in scoring (7-1).
“It was disappointing. We were in a great role,” said Vishal. “It definitely wasn’t our night.”
This is the second time in a month that the clubs have met head-to-head. Dash won 2-0 on May 21 in Portland.
Houston’s defense has given up just three points in seven games and has the lowest average against the league (0.43). Dash is the only NWSL team to have conceded fewer than five goals before Sunday this season.
Rachel Daly, captain and pioneer of the England women’s national team in preparation for the UEFA European Women’s Championship, did not have this script. Daley leads the club with four goals, along with Nichel Prince, who is on international duty.
Portland playmaker Christine Sinclair, who scored four goals in 2022, was eliminated late. She was injured in warm-ups and was replaced by Moultry.
But Thorns still had the services of Smith, bringing his season total to five.
Shortly before Smith’s goal, Campbell made a great save from Samantha Coffee on a free kick and parried a shot from Rahul Rodriguez.
After beginning her career in Houston in 2016, Dash had to compete for Manchester City against Janine Becky, who returned to the NWSL after four seasons in the UK. She helped prevent the Houston attack.
“There were some positives that came out of this game,” Lawton said. “(Defender) Haley Johnson didn’t go down until the final whistle. She owes it to herself, and some players have had the opportunity to express what they can do.
Dash heads out on the road to play North Carolina on June 19, before returning to PNC to take on Kansas City on July 1.
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