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NWSL National Women's Soccer League

Portland Thorns FC Host the Houston Dash Sunday Night on ESPN2

August 1, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) News Release


Alex Morgan and Allie Long have had Portland Thorns FC's title defense thrust onto their shoulders as the champions look to deal with mounting injury concerns when they host Kealia Ohai and the Houston Dash on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 10 p.m. ET in a match broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

The Thorns enter the weekend holding onto the fourth and final playoff spot - two points ahead of the fifth-place Chicago Red Stars. However, Portland is not in control of its own destiny, having played one more match than Chicago.

The Red Stars face off against the Washington Spirit on Saturday with the opportunity to jump ahead of the Thorns and would remain in front of the defending champions should Portland fail to match a Chicago victory with one of their own.

First-year coach Paul Riley will certainly look to Morgan and Long to shoulder the responsibility of leading a team that has been hindered by injuries to several key players, with both midfielder Tobin Heath (right knee) and defender Rachel Van Hollebeke (concussion) expected to miss the match.

Heath missed her fourth-consecutive game last week as Seattle Reign FC dealt the Thorns a 5-0 defeat in Week 16 at Moda Pitch at Memorial Stadium. Meanwhile, Riley substituted Van Hollebeke at halftime after she suffered a head injury during the first 45 minutes of the game.

If Van Hollebeke does sit out the game, it would compound Portland's injury woes at the back - with defenders Courtney Niemiec (bilateral medial tibial stress syndrome) and Katarina Tarr (left knee meniscus surgery) already out for the rest of the season.

In their absence, there will be even more pressure on Morgan and Long as well as forwards Christine Sinclair (7 goals) and Jessica McDonald (11 goals, 4 game-winning goals) to lead the line for the Thorns as they look to secure a vital three points.

Morgan has been sensational since returning June 7 from a left-ankle injury that forced her to miss the first nine games of the season. The U.S. international has five goals and four assists in 10 starts in 2014 - including a two-goal, one-assist performance that earned her NWSL Player of the Week honors for Week 11.

Meanwhile, Long has been a stalwart all season in the Thorns midfield. The U.S. international has nine goals and two assists in 19 appearances in 2014 while providing a box-to-box presence.

Portland will have two games remaining after Sunday's match - traveling to face the Boston Breakers before returning to Providence Park to host Seattle, which on Wednesday wrapped up the 2014 NWSL Shield for the best regular-season record.

For Houston, the game Sunday represents the opportunity to stave off being mathematically eliminated from the NWSL Playoffs - which they can only do with a win against the Thorns.

Coach Randy Waldrum's side will be eager to avoid elimination after having to watch the Reign celebrate winning the NWSL Shield with a 4-1 victory at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Rookie forward Kealia Ohai scored the lone goal in the game for the Dash - her fourth of the year to draw her level with Tiffany McCarty for the team lead. The first-year striker, drafted No. 2 overall out of North Carolina, leads the expansion club with 17 shots on goal this season.

Houston will remain in the Pacific Northwest following the game Sunday, traveling to Seattle to face the Reign on Wednesday for the second time in a week. The NWSL newcomers are 3-3-2 on their travels in their inaugural campaign.

The Dash are winless (0-10-3) in 13 matches so far this season against the top five teams in the standings, while they have posted a 5-1-0 record against the three other teams in the bottom four - including having already won the season series against both the Breakers and the 2013 NWSL finalist Western New York Flash.

Houston has three games scheduled following Saturday's encounter - the match against the Reign on Wednesday after which they will host Sky Blue FC before traveling to face Boston in the final week of the regular season.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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