MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017
Kickoff: 7 p.m. (Pacific)
Location: Providence Park (Portland, Ore.)
Forecast: Sunny, 76 degrees
Referee: Christina Unkel
Assistant Referees: Adrienne McDonald, Andrew Deuker Fourth Official: Sya Magee
Broadcast: nwslsoccer.com and go90.com
Broadcast talent: Matt Pedersen (play-by-play), Christopher Nurse (analyst)
MATCH PREVIEW
Despite a midweek loss on the road against FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns FC retained second place in the NWSL standings and return home to play host to the Houston Dash for their third game in an eight-day span.
With six games remaining on the schedule, Thorns FC (31pts) are two points clear of the third-place Chicago Red Stars (29 pts) and hold a four-point lead over fourth-place Seattle Reign FC (27pts).
Portland has the best home record in the NWSL (7-1-1) has recorded two shutouts in its last four home games. Thorns FC have five shutouts at home this season, which is tied for the most in the league.
SERIES HISTORY
Thorns FC square off against the Houston Dash on Saturday in the third meeting of the season between the two sides. Portland is unbeaten in its last three meetings (2-0-1) against Houston, including a 2-1 win at Providence Park in the most recent match-up on Aug. 5. Thorns FC are 3-1-0 all-time at home against Houston, outscoring the Dash 6-2 in those matches. Dating back to the first meeting be- tween the two sides in 2014, Allie Long has three goals, including a brace against Houston, while Christine Sinclair has two goals in the all-time series.
SCOUTING HOUSTON
Houston’s visit to Portland wraps up a stretch of three games in seven days. The Dash picked up a 3-1 win on the road against the Boston Breakers on Aug. 16 behind a brace from forward Sarah Hagen. The Dash have won three of their last four games on the road. With four road wins this season, Houston has recorded the second-most road wins in the league in 2017. Eight different players have scored multiple goals for the Dash this season, including defender Poliana, who has tallied a team-best four goals.
