Thorns host the Dash in matchday 5, kickoff scheduled for 7pm PT. Get your notes, numbers and a preview on Saturday's matchup.
The Thorns are back at home for matchday 5 and host the Houston Dash for a Saturday evening matchup at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 7pm PT and can be streamed on ION.
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Portland (13th, 0-3-1, 1pt) and Houston (11th, 1-2-1, 4pts) come together for the first time this season as both clubs are fighting to get out of the bottom half of the table. With 22 matches still remaining, things can turn around at any point for either club.
Thorns vs Dash | Everything you need to know ↓
The Opponent: Houston Dash (11th, 1-2-1, 4pts)
Houston Dash come into Providence Park in mixed form, having won their only match so far against expansion-side Bay FC. Following a devastating 3-1 loss at home last weekend to the Washington Spirit where they led from the first minute of the match only to break down in the second half. With losses to North Carolina and a draw with Louisville, their results have not differed a lot from the Thorn's start to the campaign.
Head coach Francisco Alonso's side has firepower in forwards Diana Ordonez and Maria Sanchez, as well as on the wings with both his fullbacks Natalie Jacobs and Sarah Puntingam recording a goal involvement this season. Alonso started the season in a 3-1-4-2 formation before switching things up to a 3-4-3 in last weekend's loss to Washington.
Notes & Numbers
11-6-5
This Saturday marks the 23rd all-time meeting between Houston and Portland in all competitions. The Thorns have the advantage in the series, recording 11 wins, six losses, and five draws.
+2
As evenly matched up as they get, the Thorns and Dash have each recorded two wins with one draw in their last five head-to-head matchups. Portland holds the goal differential advantage over that span with +2 goals scored.
6.5
Despite the results, the Thorns are a constant threat on the attack. Through four games this season, Portland is averaging 6.5 shots on target, good for first in the league.
