NWSL Houston Dash

Houston Dash Host League Leaders for Pride Night

Published on July 16, 2016 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Houston Dash News Release


HOUSTON - - The Houston Dash host Portland Thorns FC for Pride Night presented by Tito's Handmade Vodka at 7:30 this evening at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Dash will host an in-game auction that features a pair of cleats signed by the reigning FIFA Women's Player of the Year, MF Carli Lloyd, a game-worn jersey and captain's armband from F Kealia Ohai, and other items or packages with proceeds benefiting OneOrlando.org. Tickets are available at the BBVA Compass Stadium box office or HoustonDashSoccer.com/tickets.

The game will be streamed live on HoustonDashSoccer.com/Live and on a tape-delayed basis on ROOT Sports Southwest on Monday, July 18 at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

The Dash fell to Sky Blue FC 1-0 last Saturday and dropped the season series after a scoreless draw in April. GK Bianca Henninger registered her first start of the season and finished the game with four saves. FW Melissa Henderson also made her first start of the season after recovering from a sprained MCL in her right knee. D Megan Crosson made her Dash debut against Sky Blue and was the first amateur player to register minutes for Houston this season.

Dash head coach Randy Waldrum called up seven amateur players for tonight's match: F Bianca Brinson, Crosson, MF Tessa Florio, F Anna Maria Gilbertson, GK Kate Scheele, M Chestley Strother and D Caroline VanSlambrouck.

The Thorns suffered their first loss of the season last Saturday as they fell to the defending NWSL Champion, FC Kansas City, 2-1 at Providence Park. Prior to the game against Kansas City the Thorns went undefeated through 12 games. Portland is led by Mark Parsons, who is in his first season as the head coach of the club. The England native was previously the head coach and general manager of the Washington Spirit and spent six years with Chelsea FC's youth academies. Parsons has a record of 25-16-16 as a head coach in the NWSL.

Potential impact players for the Thorns include MF Dagny Brynjarsdottir and F Nadia Nadim. Both players have scored four goals this season, which is tied for third most in the league. Michelle Betos, the 2015 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year, is projected to start her eighth match of the season and has allowed six goals after recovering from a shoulder injury that she suffered in May. Parsons called up three amateurs for this game: MF Maureen Fitzgerald, D Sam Lofton and F Shade Pratt.

Portland leads the all-time series with a record of 3-1-1. The clubs last met in the regular season on June 6, 2015 at BBVA Compass Stadium, and that contest finished in a scoreless draw.

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National Women's Soccer League Stories from July 16, 2016


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