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NWSL Portland Thorns FC

Thorns FC Conclude Preseason Tournament against Houston Dash

April 2, 2016 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Portland Thorns FC News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Thorns FC concluded their preseason tournament, playing their third, and final match of the tournament against NWSL side the Houston Dash on Saturday evening at Providence Park. Midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir tallied a late goal for Portland, but Houston scored twice in the final 10 minutes to register a 2-1 win.

All three goals in the match were tallied in the final 12 minutes. Brynjarsdottir put Thorns FC in front 1-0 in the 79th minute, pouncing on a rebound and converting in front of goal after forward Shade Pratt's initial shot was saved by Houston goalkeeper Bianca Henninger. Janine Beckie leveled the score for the Dash, placing an effort from distance inside the left post in the 83rd minute before Kealia Ohai finished from close range after receiving a pass from Beckie in the 90th minute to give Houston a 2-1 advantage.

The match was Portland's third in a seven-day span as part of a preseason tournament at Providence Park, featuring NWSL clubs Seattle Reign FC and Houston as well as Oregon State. Thorns FC fell to Seattle in their opening match of the tournament on March 27 and topped Oregon State behind a hat-trick from forward Nadia Nadim on Wednesday.

A total of 21 players made an appearance during the preseason tournament for Thorns FC as several players departed due to national team duty. Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Meghan Klingenberg, Allie Long and Emily Sonnett all played against Seattle before leaving to join the U.S. Women's National Team. Nadim played against Seattle and Oregon State before traveling to Europe to prepare for a qualifying match for the 2017 UEFA Women's European Championships against Poland on April 7 with Denmark. Brynjarsdottir and forward Christine Sinclair will both head to Europe next week to join their respective national teams. Sinclair and Canada visit the Netherlands for an international friendly on April 10, while Brynjarsdottir and Iceland square off against Belarus on April 12 in a qualifying match for the European Championships.

Thorns FC return to training next week and will continue preparations for their 2016 home opener against NWSL expansion side the Orlando Pride on Sunday, April 17; kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (Pacific) with a live web stream at www.thornsfc.com.

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